Green Synthesis and Characterization of Cu0.5Zn0.5FeAlO4 Magnetic Nanoparticles with Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Department of Chemistry, Ilam University

Abstract

Water pollution poses a significant global challenge, with toxic and carcinogenic dyes in wastewater threatening human health. Developing efficient and reusable photocatalysts is essential for advanced and sustainable water treatment solutions. In this project, Magnetic Cu0.5Zn0.5FeAlO4 nanoparticles were prepared through an eco-friendly method utilizing tragacanth gel as a stabilizing agent. The resulting nanoparticles were characterized using XRD, BET, FESEM, UV–Vis-DRS, TEM, EDX, Mapping and VSM techniques. The XRD pattern confirms the presence of the cubic spinel crystal structure in the Cu0.5Zn0.5FeAlO4 MNPs, with an average crystallite size of 12 nm. The TEM image showed an average particle size of 25–30 nm. The EDX and mapping analysis reveal all elemental compositions in Cu0.5Zn0.5FeAlO4 MNPs, indicating a pure phase. The band gap was determined from UV–vis DRS spectra by using the tauc equation and it was found to be of about 1.95 ev. The VSM analysis demonstrated superparamagnetic properties with a saturation magnetization value of approximately 3.74 emu/g. The Cu0.5Zn0.5FeAlO4 MNPs exhibited efficient photodegradation of reactive blue 222 dye when under visible light. The sample was easily recovered and reused due to the magnetic properties of the nanoparticles. This showed excellent catalytic efficiency, maintaining strong performance for up to four cycles with very little loss in activity.

Keywords

References

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Journal of Ultrafine Grained and Nanostructured Materials
Volume 57, Issue 2
December 2024
Pages 158-167

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History

  • Receive Date: 02 December 2024
  • Revise Date: 12 December 2024
  • Accept Date: 15 December 2024

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