Transition metal doped cobalt ferrite nanoparticles: Efficient photocatalyst for photodegradation of textile dye

Abstract

Abstract Spinel ferrite magnetic nanoparticles grab greater attention due to their characteristic properties such as catalytic, optical, magnetic and electrical properties. Moreover, the substitution of transition metals in ferrites is promising to manipulate physical characterstics and could enhance their catalytic and magnetic properties. Ruthenium based catalyst have gained much importance by several researchers due to their high activity. In this study, a series of Ru doped cobalt ferrite nanoparticles (CoRuxFe2-xO4; x = 0.0, 0.02, 0.06) were synthesised via Sol-gel method. The effect of ruthenium substitution on the crystal structure of cobalt ferrite was examined. Crystal structures of nanoparticles were studied using X-ray diffraction pattern. Vibrating sample magnetometer shows the ferromagnetic property of the ferrite nanostructures. The photocatalytic properties of the prepared cobalt ferrite nanoparticles were investigated to determine their visible light induced degradation of a textile dye. The photocatalytic result shows that cobalt ferrite when doped with ruthenium exhibits excellent photocatalytic activity. Moreover, CoRuxFe2-xO4 photocatalyst are highly magnetic in nature, thus facilitates separation and repetitive reuse of photocatalyst.