One pot green synthesis of Al doped zinc ferrite nanoparticle decorated with reduced graphene oxide for photocatalytic remediation of organic pollutants: Green synthesis, kinetics, and photoactivity

Abstract

The world is drawn to the widespread use, toxicity, and bioaccumulation of the Atrazine (AT) and Auramine O (AO). Pesticides and dyes also have endocrine disruptors, genotoxic and persistent properties. Therefore, the photodegradation of AT and AO in water was investigated. Herein, the structural design of Al–ZnFe2O4 incorporated in rGO nanocomposite has been synthesized via facile precipitation and green synthesis methodology. PXRD and microscopic analysis confirmed the reduced crystallinity nature of Al–ZnFe2O4 due to the incorporation of amorphous rGO. The green Al–ZnFe2O4@rGO nanocomposite (AT: 90%; AO: 95%) showed maximum degradation as compared to native nanoparticles with minimum pollutants concentration of 10 mg catalytic dose at neutral pH in sunlight irradiation due to negative zeta potential (−36.0 mV), higher surface area (163 m2g-1) and tailored band gap (2.1 eV). First-order kinetics followed by initial Langmuir adsorption constituted the degradation process. The presence of different radical quenchers (t-BuOH, p-BZQ, Na2EDTA) concluded that hydroxyl radical plays a significant role in the degradation of toxic AT and AO. Green fabricated Al–ZnFe2O4@rGO also showed excellent efficiency for the degradation of AT and AO pollutant in real wastewater sample. Nanocomposite demonstrated remarkable sustainability and cost-effectiveness by remaining effective for up to nine cycles without experiencing any appreciable activity reduction. Due to its favorable surface features, Al–ZnFe2O4@rGO nanocomposite made via green process is a unique and potential photocatalyst for industrial applications.