Synthesis and characterization of ZnxNi1−xFe2O4/TiO2 nanocomposite for thymol blue dye removal

Abstract

Hazardous organic pollutants, especially synthetic dyes, have been released into aquatic ecosystems more quickly as a result of rapid industrialization, posing serious dangers to the environment and public health. To cure harmful dyes, we created new nanocomposites alloys with different concentrations in this way using co-precipitate technique. ZnxNi1−xFe2O4 prepared using a modified template free technique showed an excellent dye removal efficiency of Thymol blue. Nanocomposites as ZnxNi1−xFe2O4, and TiO2; long used in dye removal purposes, have problems in their recyclability and production cost on large scale. However, we overcame these problems through the prepared nanocomposite, thus allowing low cost, controlled synthesis of these nanomaterials. In order to better understand the ability of ZnxNi1−xFe2O4/TiO2 (x = 0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5) nanoparticles prepared by co-precipitation method to photodegrade Thymol Blue dye, a systematic analysis of their structural, micro-structural, surface area, hydrophilicity, and magnetic properties was conducted. The prepared NixZn1−xFe2O4 & NixZn1−xFe2O4/TiO2 were successfully examined using XRD, AFM, TEM, BET, hydrophilicity, VSM, and UV–Vis spectrometry. At optimum conditions, the fabricated ZnxNi1−xFe2O4/TiO2 nanocomposite was efficient for degrading thymol blue dye in aqueous media; the percentage degradation was obtained up to 70% within 120 min. just for Zn0.8Ni0.2Fe2O4/TiO2. The results demonstrate a regulated, inexpensive synthesis pathway for high-performance nanomaterials with excellent recyclability, providing a scalable industrial wastewater treatment option.