Heterostructured Co0.5Mn0.5Fe2O4-polyaniline nanofibers: highly efficient photocatalysis for photodegradation of methyl orange

1D hollow Co0.5Mn0.5Fe2O4-PANI nanofibers were synthesized through sequential processes of electrospinning, heat treatment in air, and chemical polymerization of polyaniline. The morphology and photocatalytic properties of heterostructured Co0.5Mn0.5Fe2O4-PANI as photocatalysts were investigated by SEM, TEM, XRD, TGA, and photocatalysis experiments of methyl orange under visible-light irradiation. The hollow Co0.5Mn0.5Fe2O4-PANI nanofibers showed a high photocatalytic degradation efficiency of 92% within 120 min and a kinetic constant of 115-times higher than hollow Co0.5Mn0.5Fe2O4 nanofibers. These high photocatalytic properties are attributed to both unique 1D hollow nanofiber morphology with macroporous hollow core, PANI/Co0.5Mn0.5Fe2O4/PANI shell and the heterojunction structure composed of Co0.5Mn0.5Fe2O4 and PANI. In addition, the outstanding magnetic properties of the hollow Co0.5Mn0.5Fe2O4-PANI nanofibers with its inherent spinel structure facilitate the recovery of the photocatalyst.