The effect of Ce doping on the structural, optical, and photocatalytic degradation of Mn–Co nanoferrites

Abstract

This work demonstrates the preparation of Ni0.5Mn0.25Co0.25CexFe2-xO4 spinel nanoferrites (NMCCF nanoferrites) using the citrate combustion method. This study also investigated the characteristics of their structure, optics, and ability to degrade under light. The lattice strain and crystallite size of each NMCCF nanoferrite were measured by evaluating the XRD results using Williamson-Hall plots. The crystallite size was between 40 and 78 nm. The hopping lengths, bond lengths, surface areas, and densities of all NMCCF nanocrystals were measured and calculated. FTIR analysis showed two strong frequency bands at 571 and 390 cm−1, which are characteristic of spinel ferrites. SEM was used to investigate the particle size, composition, and distribution of the nanoferrites in the NMCCF sample. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed the presence of spherical NMCCF nanoparticles and their tendency to aggregate. The Kubelka-Munk function and Tauc plots were used to predict the direct allowed Eg value of the NMCCF samples. NMCCF0, NMCCF1, NMCCF2, NMCCF3, NMCCF4, and NMCCF5 exhibited bandgap values of 1.515, 1.545, 1.506, 1.507, 1.499, and 1.473 eV, respectively. The behavior of Eg can be explained based on two criteria: doping impact and particle size. A comparative analysis of the photocatalytic degradation of the ideal sample (Ni0.5Mn0.25Co0.25Ce0.1Fe1.9O4) and other published photocatalytic materials demonstrated that the NMCCF5 nanoferrite exhibited a greater ability to remove methylene blue dye (97.38 %, within 60 min) compared to those materials. In addition, this comparative investigation demonstrated the enhanced stability of photocatalytic degradation capability exhibited by the current nanoferrites (with just a 1.55 % loss in efficiency after five cycles). This paper introduces an innovative method for producing spinel nanoferrites, with a specific focus on their structural, optical, and photocatalytic properties, which can be useful in the field of water treatment.