Chitosan-Mediated Coupling of MgFe₂O₄–TiO₂ Nanocomposites for Efficient Methylene Blue Photodegradation

Abstract

Herein, the coupling of magnesium ferrite with titanium dioxide [MgFe2O4–TiO2 (MFO-TiO2)] was fabricated by a hydrothermal approach, followed by the calcination process with chitosan as the particle stabilizer. The effects of calcination temperatures and times on the structure were assessed while the as-prepared materials were thoroughly characterized by modern analysis methods, including X-ray diffraction pattern, Raman microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller specific surface area, and thermal gravimetric analysis. Subsequently, the photodegradation performance of the materials toward methylene blue (MB) was further investigated. According to the results, the sample with thermal treatment at 800 °C for 2 h showed outstanding structural characteristics and nearly complete degradation of 100 mL of MB 20 mg/L with a removal efficiency of 99.53% for 60 min. Further investigations also emphasized the crucial participation of oxygen-containing radicals as well as H2O2 in the Fenton-assisted photodegradation process. In conclusion, the research shows an efficient and economical procedure to prepare the MFO-TiO2 nanocomposite as a promising photocatalyst for wastewater treatment.