Synthesis, characterization, and dye degradation photocatalytic activity of the nano-size copper iron binary oxide

Mirzaei, Mahsa; Habibi, Mohammad Hossein; Sabzyan, Hassan

Synthesis, characterization, and dye degradation photocatalytic activity of the nano-size copper iron binary oxide

2022

Mirzaei, Mahsa | Habibi, Mohammad Hossein | Sabzyan, Hassan

Magnetic nano-size copper iron binary oxide is synthesized via a sol–gel method using copper and iron nitrates as precursors and citric acid, chicken egg white, and starch as stabilizers followed by annealing at 400 °C and 800 °C in air. The TG-DTG, XRD, FESEM, EDX, VSM, and FT-IR and UV–Vis DRS spectroscopy methods are used for thermal, structural, magnetic, and optoelectronic characterizations. Depending on the stabilizer and annealing temperature, pure CuFe₂O₄, (CuFe₂O₄,CuO) or (CuFe₂O₄,CuO,Fe₂O₃) phases are formed with nano-size particles of 20–65 nm, having optical band gaps in the range of 2.15–2.60 eV (577–477 nm). Photocatalytic activities of the synthesized nano-size copper iron binary oxide samples are examined for degradation of Nile Blue textile dye displayed first-cycle removal (from water solution) efficiencies of 86.7–93.3%. Considering usage of non-toxic metals and low-cost green stabilizers, good degradation performances, and easy/efficient (magnetic) recyclability, this nano-size catalyst is suggested for further optimization studies for industrial applications.

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