MgFe2O4/CNTs nanocomposite: synthesis, characterization, and photocatalytic activity

Abstract

Magnesium ferrite is a visible light absorber, and when combined with multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), it can lead to low electron-hole recombination rates, thus improving its photocatalytic activity. In this work, a novel MgFe 2 O 4 /CNTs nanocomposite catalyst has been synthesized via anchoring MgFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles onto MWCNTs surface by a sol-gel and microwave-assisted route. The prepared catalyst was characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive x-ray analysis and vibrating scanning magnetometry. MgFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles showed a cubic inverse spinel ferrite structure, while MgFe 2 O 4 /CNTs nanohybrids showed combinations of both structures. Morphology studies including Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis confirmed a 40 m 2 g -1 specific surface area with narrow mesoporous size distribution for the MgFe 2 O 4 /CNTs nanocomposite. The photocatalytic performance of the new catalyst was assessed by photodegradation of methylene blue (MB). The experimental results demonstrated that MgFe 2 O 4 /CNTs exhibited strong photocatalytic activity, catalysing the photooxidation of about 98% of MB in 25 minutes under sunlight.

Novel MgFe2O4-CuO/GO heterojunction magnetic nanocomposite: Synthesis, characterization, and batch photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue dye

“…It is well reported that • O2 − and • OH radicals are the reactive species responsible for the initiating photooxidative degradation reaction of MB in the catalytic system [1,25,75]. Based on that, a possible mechanism (Fig.…”

“…Nano-crystalline magnesium ferrite (MgFe2O4) was synthesized via an auto combustion technique, following a procedure described in our previous work [25].…”

“…Semiconductor-mediated photocatalysis has sparked a lot of interest due to its potency to photodegrade a vast range of organic and inorganic pollutants under ambient conditions without toxic by-products [24]. Semiconductor photocatalysts can be excited to an energy level higher than their bandgap, inducing the generation of energy-rich photo-carriers, which can be involved in redox reactions to decompose organic dyes [25][26][27][28]. The effectiveness of such processes is inextricably linked to the transport of the photogenerated carriers which is influenced by the materials' morphology, particle size, size distribution, dosage, pollutant concentration and pH [29,30].…”

Study of methylene blue dye elimination from water using polyaniline (PANI) and PANI/SiO2 composite

“…Direct activity is due to colouring of water and changing its composition, which significantly deteriorates the living conditions, but indirect activity is due to poisonous properties of many dyes. In this respect, adsorption has gained an important credibility during recent years because of its good performance and low cost, 3 much selective, easy to operate and a proven efficient process for the removal of dyes from contaminated aqueous media. 4 Actually, conjugated polymers, particularly those based on polyaniline (PANI), polythiophene (PT) and their derivatives, have gained interesting popularity because of multiple properties such as the low cost synthesis and their numerous applications in rechargeable batteries, display devices and sensors, porous structure, tunable morphology, good electrorheological property, unique redox chemistry, non-toxicity, insolubility in water, environmental stability.…”

“…Direct activity is due to colouring of water and changing its composition, which significantly deteriorates the living conditions, but indirect activity is due to poisonous properties of many dyes. In this respect, adsorption has gained an important credibility during recent years because of its good performance and low cost, 3 much selective, easy to operate and a proven efficient process for the removal of dyes from contaminated aqueous media. 4…”