Photocatalytic degradation of environmental pollutant using nickel and cerium ions substituted Co0.6Zn0.4Fe2O4 nanoferrites

Abstract

In the present investigation, toxic environmental pollutant, i.e., Congo red dye photocatalytic degradation was achieved using Co0.6Zn0.4−xNixCeyFe2−xO4 (x = 0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3; y = 0.0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15) ferrite-based nanomaterials. The nanoferrites were synthesized with the usage of sol–gel auto-combustion fabrication technique. Their microstructural, optical and magnetic, properties were analysed, using various characterization techniques. The observed XRD (X-ray diffraction) diffraction patterns indicate the existence of single-phase spinel cubic structure along with Fd3m space group symmetry and, the crystallite size calculated using Scherrer formula was found in the dimensions of 38–49 nm. The formation of agglomerated, dense, and spherical magnetic nanoparticles with an average grain size of 51 nm and 62 nm for the undoped specimen (x = 0.0, y = 0.0) and doped specimen (x = 0.2, y = 0.10) were observed from the FESEM (Field emitting scanning electron microscopy) micrographs analysis. From the M–H curves data, it was concluded that the maximum value of Ms (70.17 emu/g) and Hc (266.43 Oe) was attained by the Co0.6Zn0.1Ni0.3Ce0.15Fe1.85O4 nanoferrite. The present investigation concentrates on the photocatalytic degradation of Congo red dye under the natural solar irradiation in which we improved the photocatalytic efficiency upto 94.6% after 60 min of irradiation with the utilization of substituted Co0.6Zn0.1Ni0.3Ce0.15Fe1.85O4 nano photocatalyst. Thus, synthesized Co–Zn nanoferrites can be utilized for potential applications in wastewater treatment.