CoCr2O4@GeO2@ZnO core-shell nanoparticle as a novel recoverable catalyst: Preparation, characterization and photocatalytic degradation of basic fuchsin dye

Abstract

Highly photosensitive novel nanostructure CoCr2O4@GeO2@ZnO core-shell UV–Visible light driven photocatalyst have been fabricated by sol-gel method. The double coating of GeO2 and ZnO on CoCr2O4 nanoparticles could intensely stabilize the CoCr2O4 in aqueous solution and avoid their oxidation. The synthesized CoCr2O4, CoCr2O4@GeO2, and CoCr2O4@GeO2@ZnO nanostructures were characterized by several techniques including FT-IR, XRD, UV-DRS FE-SEM, EDS, HR-TEM and BET analysis. The potential application of CoCr2O4@GeO2@ZnO is examined for photocatalytic degradation of Basic Fuchsin dye in aqueous heterogeneous suspension. The detailed degradation pathway has been established by using LC-MS analysis and by a careful identification of intermediate products. The result suggest that CoCr2O4@GeO2@ZnO photocatalysis may be envisaged as a method for treatment of diluted waste water in textile industries. In the present study, the degradation yield for Basic Fuchsin dye 100% within 30 ​min using core-shell CoCr2O4@GeO2@ZnO nanostructure material.