Magnetic Fe3O4@MIL-53(Fe) nanocomposites derived from MIL-53(Fe) for the photocatalytic degradation of ibuprofen under visible light irradiation

[Display omitted] •Fe3O4@MIL-53(Fe) simply synthesized by the calcination of pristine MIL-53(Fe).•CM53−400 processed the best catalytic ability for the degradation of IBP.•Fe3O4@MIL-53(Fe) enhanced the separation of photoexcited electron-hole pairs.•CM53−400 had stable activity toward IBP degradation and strong magnetism. A magnetic photocatalyst Fe3O4@MIL-53(Fe) was successfully obtained from the calcination treatment of pristine MIL-53(Fe) to degrade ibuprofen (IBP) under visible light. The results suggested that Fe3O4 and MIL-53(Fe) co-existed after the calcination of MIL-53(Fe) at 400 ℃ (CM53−400) and pearl-like Fe3O4 nanoparticle intimately combined with MIL-53(Fe) in CM53−400. Fe3O4@MIL-53(Fe) composites exhibited superior photocatalytic performance due to the unique structure and electron transfer between Fe3O4 and MIL-53(Fe). CM53−400 processed the best catalytic ability for IBP degradation, achieving 99 % removal of IBP in the presence of H2O2 within 60 min. The improved photocatalytic activity of CM53−400 may originate from the enhanced photoexcited electron-hole pairs separation. The active species, h+, OH, e− and O2−, played important roles in the photo-degradation processes. In addition, due to the stable activity of CM53−400 toward IBP decomposition and the strong magnetism of CM53−400 composite, CM53−400 photocatalysts bring new insights into the practical application for removing the organic contaminants from water.