Degradation of Rhodamine 6G in aqueous solution by using Au/Fe3O4 coreshell nanoparticles

In this study, magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles were synthesized by co-precipitation method and then Au shell was extended over these nanoparticles via chemical reduction of chloroauric acid with sodiumborohydride under ultrasound irradiation. The obtained Au/Fe3O4 nanoparticles were characterized by using X-ray diffraction technique and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and their physical properties was studied by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The characterized nanoparticles were used as efficient catalyst in the degradation of Rhodamine 6G dye in aqueous solution. UV-Vis spectroscopy was used to determine the dye concentration during optimization of the reaction conditions, and effect of various parameters such as pH, catalyst loading, temperature, and amount of the oxidant was investigated. It was found that Au/Fe3O4 catalyst at 80 oC in the pH of 12 can effectively degrade Rhodamine 6G dye molecules in the presence of hydrogen peroxide as an inexpensive and available oxidant. The catalyst after recycling was also, able to perform its role in successive runs.