Synthesis and characterization of rGO supported silver doped bimetallic ZnCo2O4 spinel oxides for enhanced photocatalytic degradation of industrial effluents

Abstract

In the current report, Silver doped Zinc Cobaltite (AgZnCo 2 O 4 , AgZCO) nanoparticles have been synthesized through a solvent-free strategy. Synthesized AgZCO nanoparticles were integrated with the reduced graphene oxide (rGO) sheets to prepare the AgZCO@rGO composite. Structural and morphological properties of ZCO, AgZCO, and AgZCO@rGO were studied by various physio-chemical techniques. X-rays diffraction (XRD) analysis showed that all prepared samples possess face-centered cubic crystal structures with crystallite sizes of 5.79 nm, 5.27 nm, and 5.16 nm for ZCO, AgZCO, and AgZCO@rGO, respectively. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis displayed that small spherical nanoparticles of AgZCO were wrapped inside rGO, along with some of the particles present on the surface of rGO sheets. FT-IR characterization showed the presence of all necessary vibrational modes. The results of the photocatalytic experiment showed that 41.97%, 58.02%, and 75.30% MB dye was degraded by the ZCO, AgZCO, and AgZCO@rGO respectively. 65.06% methyl orange dye was degraded by the AgZCO@rGO and it showed the highest percentage degradation with a higher kinetic rate than ZCO and AgZCO catalysts. • Ag substituted ZnCo 2 O 4 was synthesized by auto-moisturization method. • AgZnCo 2 O 4 nanoparticles were fabricated with rGO sheets. • rGO@ AgZnCo 2 O 4 and AgZnCo 2 O 4 were employed for the degradation of MB dye. • rGO@ AgZnCo 2 O 4 showed superior photo-degradation of MB with 75.30% removal within 105 min