Facile synthesis of hierarchical NiO/NiFe 2 O 4 microsphere composite as efficient visible photocatalyst for 2,4‐DCP degradation

Abstract It is highly desired to develop efficient photocatalysts with recycling property for practical application to degrade toxic pollutants. Herein, nanosheet‐assembled NiFe 2 O 4 microspheres with commendable activity are successfully synthesized by a facile solvothermal reaction with NH 4 F as the modifier, and their photoactivities are further improved by coupling with NiO through an in situ growth process. The optimized nickel oxide (NiO)/nickel ferrite (NiFe 2 O 4 ) microsphere composite (5NiO/NFO‐4) exhibits a satisfactory photocatalytic activity for 2,4‐dichlorophenol (2,4‐DCP) degradation under visible‐light irradiation, which is attributed to its wide visible‐light response, well‐designed hierarchical structure and enhanced charge transfer and separation by coupling NiO as a high‐level energy platform to accept electrons. Moreover, it is found that the NiO/NiFe 2 O 4 microsphere photocatalysts can be easily collected and recycled owing to the distinctive magnetic properties. This work provides a feasible route to rational design visible‐light‐driven photocatalysts with high‐activity for environmental remediation and purification with good recyclability.