Photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride using pure and copper-doped magnesium ferrite nanoparticles: Efficiency, kinetics and mechanism

Abstract

This study presents the synthesis of Mg1-xCuxFe2O4 (x = 0.0, 0.1, 0.3, and 0.5) nanoparticles (NPs) using the direct microwave combustion method (MCM) with L-arginine as the fuel source. The samples were characterised comprehensively using various analytical techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), High resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM), Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy in the ultraviolet–visible (DRS-UV) range, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). The cubic spinel structure was verified by X-ray diffraction analysis. It revealed an average crystallite size ranging from 15.8 to 26.6 nm. The oxidation states and elemental composition of Mg1-xCuxFe2O4 were evaluated using XPS analysis. Notably, the major absorption bands at 557 and 434 cm−1 corresponded to the tetrahedral (Mg2+ –O2−) and octahedral (Fe3+ –O2−) sites, respectively. HRSEM images showed agglomerated particles with elemental verification of Mg1-xCuxFe2O4. This was validated by EDX studies. The optical bandgap was determined by DRS-UV analysis. Functional groups were analyzed by FTIR spectra. Hysteresis loop measurements revealed the ferromagnetic properties of the obtained samples. Furthermore, the study evaluated the detailed mechanism of the photocatalytic degradation (PCD) of Mg0.7Cu0.3Fe2O4.