Novel MgFe2O4-CuO/GO heterojunction magnetic nanocomposite: Synthesis, characterization, and batch photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue dye

Abstract

Methylene blue (MB) utilized in chemical industries and research laboratories, produces a considerable amount of wastewater and causes water pollution even at low concentration. In the present work, novel low bandgap MgFe2O4-CuO/graphene oxide nanocomposite was used as a heterojunction magnetic nanophotocatalyst to photodegrade MB in simulated wastewater. The photocatalyst was synthesized via a microwave-ultrasonic route and characterized by a group of spectroscopic techniques. The synthesized photocatalyst had a specific surface area of 96.12 m2 g−1, pore volume of 0.0521 cm3 g−1, and pore diameter of 2.90 nm. Batch photocatalytic degradation of MB dye was performed at 25 °C under ambient sunlight, and carefully optimized to obtain maximum photodegradation efficiency. Under optimal conditions, the synthesized photocatalyst demonstrated superior degradation efficiency reaching 98.8% within 27 min. Recyclability studies showed that the synthesized photocatalyst had a very good stability and reusability up to four cycles.