The effects of adding Ag and graphene to Fe₃O₄/TiO₂ nanocomposites on adsorptive and sonophotocatalytic capabilities

Fe₃O₄/TiO₂ was synthesized using the sol-gel method both with and without the addition of Ag. Fe₃O₄/TiO₂ and Fe₃O₄/TiO₂/Ag were also synthesized with added graphene by using the co-precipitation method. All the prepared samples were characterized using X-ray Diffraction (XRD), UV-Vis Absorbance, and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). Furthermore, adsorptive and sonophotocatalytic capabilities were tested using a degradation of Methylene Blue (MB) as an organic dye. Sonophotocatalytic activity was measured using UV or visible light and ultrasound. It was found that Ag/Fe₃O₄/TiO₂/NGP composites have better adsorption and sonophotocatalytic capabilities than other samples. The adsorption process followed a pseudo-second-order kinetic model, with the maximum adsorption capacity being 76 mg/g. The catalyst can go through the sonophotocatalytic process for four cycles. In addition, the hole is the main active species in sonophotocatalytic activity.