Synthesis and characterization of Fe2O3/Mn2O3/FeMn2O4 nano composite alloy coated glass for photo-catalytic degradation of Reactive Blue 222

Abstract

Fe2O3/Mn2O3/FeMn2O4 nano-composite coated glass was synthesised by a one step method and applied for the photo-catalytic degradation of Reactive Blue 222 as a diazo textile dye from aquatic environment. The product was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV–Vis DRS). XRD pattern confirmed the spinel structure of FeMn2O4 and bixbyite structure for (Mn,Fe)2O3. FESEM results showed an average size of the Fe2O3/Mn2O3/FeMn2O4 nano-composite at about 15 nm. UV–Vis DRS spectrum showed absorptions between 392–495 nm with strong absorption at visible region of solar light. The band gap energy of nano-composite was about 3.1 eV. The photcatalytic activity of Fe2O3/Mn2O3/FeMn2O4 nano-composite coated glass were best described by a pseudo first order model and showed an excellect activity in degradation of Reactive Blue 222 with 82% efficiency and 78% TOC removal. The results showed that Fe2O3/Mn2O3/FeMn2O4 nano-composite coated glass is a promising low cost photo-catalyst for the mineralization of Reactive Blue 222 as a diazo textile dye from aquatic environment.