Abstract
CoFe2O4 nanostructures were prepared by a facile co-precipitation route using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) as capping agents. The effects of PVA and SDS concentration on the structural, optical behaviour and photocatalytic response of the prepared CoFe2O4 nanostructures were studied. XRD studies showed cubic spinel structure of CoFe2O4 nanostructures. The crystallite size of CoFe2O4 nanostructures was found to vary from 13 to 19.2 nm with change in PVA and SDS concentration, while the optical band gap varied from 2.2 to 2.31 eV. CoFe2O4 nanostructures prepared using optimal SDS concentration exhibited enhanced photocatalytic performance and efficiently degraded methylene blue in only 20 min of solar illumination. In situ scavenger studies confirmed the photoexcited electrons to be the major active species responsible for the strong photocatalytic performance of CoFe2O4 nanostructures. The observed strong photocatalytic response of nanostructured CoFe2O4 photocatalysts and their simpler magnetic separation capability make them promising for photocatalytic water purification applications.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
