Improved visible-light photocatalytic activities of carboxylate functionalized polystyrene@Fe₃O₄ nanocomposite and its mechanism insight

Herein, we report a unique approach to synthesize dimpled shape carboxylate functionalized polystyrene (C-PS), which were subsequently coated with Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles in situ by co-precipitation method. The magnetization of C-PS@Fe₃O₄ nanocomposite has been verified through vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) measurements. The amount optimized carboxylate functionalized magnetic polystyrene (C-PS@Fe₃O₄) exhibits 5.2 and 2.2-times enhancement in visible-light photocatalytic activities for 2,4-dichlorophenol degradation compared with that of pristine PS and C-PS. Based on various electro-analytical techniques like surface photovoltage spectroscopy, temperature-programmed desorption, Uv-DRS, Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and VSM confirming magnetic nature of C-PS@Fe₃O₄. Our results suggest that the improvement in visible light activities of C-PS@Fe₃O₄ are comprehensively assigned to the large and active surface area due to charge separation, catalytic functions, and magnetic nature induced by Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. Finally, this work will provide new strategy to synthesize visible light active nano photocatalysts with controllable shape, which for efficient environmental remediation.