Synergistic catalysis of Fe3O4/CuO bimetallic catalyst derived from Prussian blue analogues for the efficient decomposition of various organic pollutants

Abstract

• Fe 3 O 4 /CuO nanoparticles were synthesized via a facile in-situ method by using CuFe-PBA as precursor, synthesized via self-assembly method. • Fe 3 O 4 /CuO/PS/Vis-light based system can efficiently degrade Congo Red, Rhodamine-B and Methyl orange dyes in 10 mins, 20 mins and 18 mins, respectively, for a broader pH range. • Mechanism of synergistic catalysis of Fe 3 O 4 /CuO catalyst was deep-rooted for its robust photocatalytic performance. • Fe 3 O 4 /CuO has excellent stability and reusability and is an eco-friendly safe and cost effective approach for degradation of various organic-pollutants. In-situ synthesis of CuO/Fe 3 O 4 nano-composite from Cu-Fe based Prussian Blue Analogues (PBA) by using as a precursor is reported. CuO/Fe 3 O 4 catalyst was practiced as a heterogeneous catalyst, by activating persulfate (PS), for the photo-decomposition of different azo dyes (RhB, MO, CR) under visible light. CuO/Fe 3 O 4 catalyst has validated its excellent photocatalytic removal of all three organic dyes. Synergistic linkage of Fe 3 O 4 with CuO has enhanced the light absorption of CuO/Fe 3 O 4 catalyst resulting in excellent photocatalytic removal of all pollutants under various pH systems amongst which neutral pH was found the efficient one. ESR and radicals capturing studies revealed that SO 4 •− and HO • radicals are dominant ones. The mechanism and the reaction pathway for the decomposition of RhB were also identified. Excellent recycling and stability of as-prepared bimetallic catalyst make it highly favorable, as its application for the removal of organic pollutants to address health remediation and environmental toxicology.