Synthesis of magnetic NiFe2O4/rGO heterostructure as potential photocatalyst for a breakdown of malachite green (MG) dye under the visible source of light

Abstract

The development of reactive radical generators, visible-light active photocatalysts with predictable stability, and efficient activity toward the breakdown of organic pollutant continue to be the primary goals of research in the area of photocatalytic environmental restoration. The present concern to on the development of an efficient heterostructure with a band gap operated on a visible region. The rGO incorporation into spinel material also decreases the agglomeration and provides a large surface area. The efficacy of NiFe2O4 (NF) nanoparticles, which are supported by rGO, as a photocatalyst for the breakdown of malachite green (MG) dye. The incorporation of rGO into NFO was investigated with the band gap property of the fabricated material using Tauc's plot profile. The NF/rGO nanocomposite underwent a reduction in magnetic properties determined through Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM) analysis. However, the coercivity of the nanocomposite experienced a significant increase. When subjected to visible light, the degradation rate of malachite green (MG) dyes with NF/rGO was comparatively faster (93.84 %) than that of NF (64.33 %) and rGO (79.41 %). The cyclic photocatalytic degradation process exhibited notable reusability and stability of the magnetic recycling nanocomposite. The photocatalytic results revealed that the developed nanocomposite acts as a potential photocatalyst and it can also be employed in different applications.