Construction of heterojunction superparamagnetic Cd_0.5Ag_0.5Fe₂O₄ nanocomposite photocatalyst for simulated textile effluent oxidation

Abstract

Abstract Significant attempts have been recently made regarding nanomaterials due to their several environmental applications especially in wastewater treatment technologies. Among the available nanoparticles, ferrite based substances are gaining a special interest since their superior characteristics such as their magnetic nature, high adsorption capacity and large specific surface area. In this regard, Cd 0.5 Ag 0.5 Fe 2 O 4 was prepared using the green simple co-precipitation route. Then, the sample is characterized via Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) that proved the produced material’s surface morphology. The substance is then employed as a catalyst source for Fenton reaction to oxidize textile effluent solution containing Rhodamine B (Rh-B 6G) dye. The oxidation experiment conducted under ultraviolet (UV) light with the ferrite-based Fenton catalyst supplemented with hydrogen peroxide showed an exceptional removal rate of up to 94% removals. Notably, the oxidation system is significantly impacted by the operational variables. The oxidation efficiency of the dye was maximized at pH 3.0 and 50 mg/L and 1600 mg/L for ferrite-based Fenton catalyst and H 2 O 2 , respectively. The impacts of the operational factors, i.e. initial pH value, initial dye concentration, catalyst, and H 2 O 2 concentrations were also investigated. This perspective introduces the role of a superparamagnetic material to be a recyclable sustained catalyst.