Divalent metal Co2+ ions substituted ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles and their hybrid with carbonaceous matrix for the degradation of toxic dyes

Abstract

This research is about the fabrication of zinc ferrite (ZnFe2O4, ZF), Cobalt substituted Zinc Ferrite (Zn0.6Co0.4Fe2O4, CZF) and nanocomposite of Cobalt- substituted Zinc Ferrite with CNTs (Zn0.6Co0.4Fe2O4@CNTs, CZF@CNTs). The bare (ZF) and doped (CZF) samples were fabricated through co-precipitation method while the nanocomposite (CZF@CNTs) by an ultra-sonication approach. By the help of various tools such as UV–Vis spectroscopy, FT-IR, and XRD; the characterization of these samples were taken out. The prepared materials were used as photocatalysts for environmental pollutants remediation. Photocatalytic degradation was done against colorless compound (Benzoic acid, BA) and dye (Methyl orange, MO). The % removal of MO by ZF was 50.8%, by CZF was 63.5%, and by CZF@CNTs was 75.9%. Moreover, the degradation % of BA was 44.9% by CZF@CNTs (Zn0.6Co0.4Fe2O4/CNTs). Excellent results were shown by CZF@CNTs due to its enhanced surface area. Hence, CZF@CNTs could be an outstanding material for the photocatalytic removal of various harmful environmental pollutants.