Abstract

In this study, CuFe₂O₄ was prepared by the starch-assisted sol–gel method at various annealing temperatures in order to create new photo-Fenton catalysts which present high catalytic activity and are easy to be separated from the reaction solution owing to their high magnetic properties. The phase composition, morphology, surface groups and magnetic properties of CuFe₂O₄-based catalysts were characterized by XRD, SEM, FTIR and VSM, respectively. Their photo-Fenton activity was evaluated via the degradation of methylene blue under UV and visible irradiation with H₂O₂ as an oxidizing agent. The results indicated the increase of CuFe₂O₄ tetragonal spinel content with the enhanced particle size and magnetic properties when the annealing temperature was increased from 700– 900^oC. We also observed the evolution of surface Cu²⁺ content with the modification of annealing temperatures. Among prepared catalysts, the sample annealed at 800^oC showed both high magnetic properties, which allows us to easily separate the catalysts from the reaction solution by a magnet, and high photo-Fenton catalytic performance under both UV and visible light.