CoFe2O4-TiO2 a Lethal P-n heterogeneous catalyst for malachite green degradation under visible light and optimisation of parameters by the Taguchi Method

Abstract

ABSTRACT Herein, we report the synthesis of CoFe2O4-TiO2 (p-n) catalyst by the modified sol-gel route, and its efficiency for photocatalytic degradation of Malachite green (MG) is proved in this study. This work particularly focuses on the optimisation of photocatalytic experimental variable parameters by the Taguchi method. The process parameters such as catalyst dosage, irradiation time, pH, and speed of mixing for the degradation of (MG) by photocatalysis were optimised by using Taguchi’s L25 orthogonal array technique. The experimental optimal conditions for maximum dye degradation by composite material were found to be 0.1 g/L of catalyst dosage for 5 ppm dye concentration at 10 min irradiation time, pH 7, and mixing speed of 300 rpm. The parameter pH is found to be the critical influencing factor on photocatalysis followed by catalyst dosage, mixing speed, and irradiation time. We have also demonstrated the possibility of magnetic separation of the catalyst by VSM measurements.