Photocatalytic degradation of Acephate, Omethoate, and Methyl parathion by Fe3O4@SiO2@mTiO2 nanomicrospheres

A novel magnetic mesoporous nanomicrospheres Fe3O4@SiO2@mTiO2 were synthetized and characterized by a series of techniques including FE-TEM, EDS, FE-SEM, PXRD, XPS, BET, TGA as well as VSM, and subsequently tested as a photocatalyst for the degradation of Acephate, Omethoate, and Methyl parathion under UV irradiation. The well-designed nanomicrospheres exhibit a pure and highly crystalline anatase TiO2 layer, large specific surface area, and high-magnetic-response. Photocatalytic degradation of the three organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs) and the formation intermediates were identified using HPLC, TOC-Vcpn, IC, pH meter and GC-MS. Acephate, Omethoate, and Methyl parathion disappeared after 45min, 45min, and 80min UV illumination, respectively. At the end of the treatment, the total organic carbon (TOC) of the OPPs was reduced 80-85%. The main mineralization products were SO4(2-), NO3(-) and PO4(3-) and Omethoate additionally formed NO2(-). Based on the results, we proposed the photocatalytic degradation pathways for Acephate, Omethoate, and Methyl parathion.