Photocatalytic debromination enhancement of Ph-C≡C-Cu by Fe3O4 modification

A series of Fe3O4/Ph-C≡C-Cu magnetic hybrids were synthesized by a repeatable photothermal method in this work. The structure and morphology studies proved that Ph-C≡C-Cu grow on the surface of Fe3O4 in a different way, which significantly affected its physical properties and photocatalytic performance. With 4% Fe3O4 modification, the photocatalytic degradation rate of high concentration of pentabromophenol (PBP, 3 ×10−4 M) achieved the highest, which is 6 times higher than those of pure Ph-C≡C-Cu and Fe3O4. The degradation of hexabromobenzene (HBB) over Ph-C≡C-Cu was also improved to be twice higher. The excellent photocatalytic activity of Fe3O4/Ph-C≡C-Cu can be attributed to the big surface area, high carrier generation, transfer and separation efficiency. The TONs exceed 1 of both PBP and HBB degradation demonstrates real photocatalytic processes. [Display omitted] •A series of Fe3O4/Ph-C≡C-Cu hybrids were prepared by repeatable photothermal method.•The activities of Ph-C≡C-Cu for PBP and HBB degradation are significantly improved.•The TONs exceed 1 of PBP and HBB degradation indicates real photocatalytic processes.