LAUSR

Heterocyclic aromatic compounds, often represented by malachite green, can cause immense harm to the environment because of their toxic accumulation in organisms and insufficient biodegradation. ZnFe2O4/TiO2 (ZF-T) has attracted attention as a visible light driver because it can break and mineralize benzene through photolysis. Compared with TiO2, which photodegrades only 53.5% malachite green, anatase TiO2 loaded with ZnFe2O4 has greater photocatalytic activity and can degrade up to 90.1% malachite green. Furthermore, a photocatalytic efficiency above 80% can be obtained through five consecutive cycles with a duration of 240 min. In this study, ZF-T was characterized, and its photolytic parameters, including dosage, pH, time, and ionic strength, were optimized. The photolytic products of malachite green were analyzed by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, which confirmed that ZF-T can drive visible light to produce •O2- and H+ free radicals that can efficiently degrade heterocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and cleave benzene rings. These outcomes deepen our understanding of the development and applications of visible-light-driven ZF-T composites in the field of wastewater purification.