Photocatalytic removal of rhodamine B under irradiation of visible light using Co1−xCuxFe2O4 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5) nanoparticles

Abstract

Co1−xCuxFe2O4 (0≤x≤0.5) nanoparticles were prepared by the microwave combustion technique. The obtained samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), high resolution scanning electron microscopy (HR-SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, UV–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, Fourier transformed infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and vibrating sample magnetometry. The XRD result confirms the formation of cubic spinel structure and the average crystallite size was observed to be in the range of 46–31nm calculated by Debye Scherrer’s equation. XPS analysis was carried out to study the chemical elements and oxidation states of the synthesized Co1−xCuxFe2O4 (0≤x≤0.5) nanoparticles. The HR-SEM image showed agglomerated spherical nanoparticles and the elemental composition of copper doped cobalt ferrite was attained from energy dispersive X-ray analysis. The band gap energy was calculated by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. Photoluminescence spectra showed the rate of recombination of electron-hole pairs and presence of defects. The band at 661 and 569cm−1 is due to the intrinsic stretching vibrations of octahedral group complex of Co2+–O2− and Fe3+–O2− at tetrahedral sites. Remanence magnetization (Mr), coercivity (Hc) and saturation magnetization (Ms) were deduced from the hysteresis curves. The obtained Co1−xCuxFe2O4 (0≤x≤0.5) nanoparticles were assessed for the photocatalytic degradation of RhB under visible light. A possible mechanism responsible for photocatalytic degradation process is discussed.