Surface modification of a magnetic SiO₂ support and immobilization of a nano-TiO₂ photocatalyst on it

This study presented an effective method to modify the surface chemical reactivity of a SiO₂/Fe₃O₄ support. The unmodified SiO₂/Fe₃O₄ support was prepared by the hydrolysis and condensation of tetraethoxysilane on the surface of hydrophilic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. These were then modified by a heat treatment in an ethanol/water solution under reflux. The resulting samples were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and transmission/scanning electron microscopy. The immobilization of a TiO₂ nanocatalyst on both unmodified and modified supports was performed to investigate the effects of the modification of the magnetic silica support on the loading of a TiO₂ nanocatalyst and the photocatalytic activity. The loading of TiO₂ and the photo-catalytic activity were both improved.