Effects of synthesis parameters of the magnetic catalyst TiO2/CoFe2O4 applied to Se photoreduction

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When applied in the photoreduction of Se(IV), the synthesized catalysts proved to be efficient, achieving removals >99%. The best conditions involved the use of calcined catalysts at lower temperatures (close to 300 ◦C) and pH values close to 3.5. Within the percentage range of isopropoxide used and given the employed synthesis conditions, it was not possible to observe a significant effect of this factor on the response, thus indicating that it is unnecessary to use large TIPO concentrations during synthesis. The coating of cobalt ferrite with TiO2 affected the magnetic properties of the photocatalysts, however, they were sufficiently preserved to allow their separation by the action of a magnet. In addition, it was shown that the catalysts maintained a satisfactory ability to reduce the Se (IV) ion, even after five photocatalytic cycles.

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