Combustion synthesis of Silver (Ag) modified Strontium hexaferrite (SrFe12O19) nanoparticles for magnetic photocatalysis applications

In recent years, magnetic photocatalysis has evolved as a means to resolve the difficulties in separation of normal photocatalysts form the treated solvent, by application of an external magnetic field. However, a rate limiting process in the degradation reaction is the recombination of photogenerated electron–hole (e– h+) pairs. Modificat-ion of the SrFe12O19 NPs with silver is particularly important in this direction. Ag has the ability to form efficient trap centres for electrons at the hexaferrite NP surface, thereby improving the electron-hole separation efficiency. Thus, photogenerated holes can participate in oxidation reactions on the surface of the hexaferrite, leading to an enhanced photocatalytic activity.