Nanodiamonds decorated yolk-shell ZnFe2O4 sphere as magnetically separable and recyclable composite for boosting antibiotic degradation performance

Photocatalysis is an environmentally friendly and energy-saving technology, which can effectively remove persistent dangerous pollutants in the water. Pitifully, optical absorption capacity and carrier separation have become major bottlenecks for marvelous photocatalytic performance of photocatalysts. Herein, to address these issue, Nanodiamonds/yolk-shell ZnFe2O4 spheres (NDs/ZFO) nanocomposites were successfully constructed via a facile two-step of solvothermal and calcination methods. The synthe-sized optimal NDs/ZFO-10 nanocomposite exhibits superior photocatalytic degradation activity of antibi-otic under visible light, approximately 85% of the total tetracycline (TC) is degraded, and this photocatalyst shows durable cycling stability. This stems from two aspects of refinement: improvement of light absorption capacity and photo-induced charges migration and separation. In addition, the NDs/ ZFO composite photocatalyst features excellent magnetic recovery capability, facilitating the recovery of photocatalyst in industry. This study opens a new chapter in the combination of NDs with magnetic materials, and deepens the understanding of the application of NDs modified composite photocatalysts. (c) 2022 The Chemical Industry and Engineering Society of China, and Chemical Industry Press Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Photocatalysis is an environmentally friendly and energy-saving technology for removing dangerous pollutants from water. Nanodiamonds/yolk-shell ZnFe2O4 spheres (NDs/ZFO) nanocomposites were successfully synthesized via solvothermal and calcination methods, exhibiting superior photocatalytic degradation activity and durable cycling stability. The NDs/ZFO composite photocatalyst also features excellent magnetic recovery capability for industrial application.