Synthesis, Characterization, and Photocatalytic Investigation of CuFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> for the Degradation of Dyes under Visible Light

The CuFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> photocatalysts were synthesized by the solution combustion synthesis method, followed by heat treatment at a temperature range of 400 to 1100 °C. Later, they were characterized for application in the photodegradation of synthetic dyes under v...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Thayane Portela Oliveira, Samuel Filgueiras Rodrigues, Gleison Neres Marques, Rayssa Cristina Viana Costa, Charlyanne Gabriela Garçone Lopes, Clodualdo Aranas, Alex Rojas, José Hilton Gomes Rangel, Marcelo Moizinho Oliveira
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-06-01
Series:Catalysts
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/6/623
Description
Summary:The CuFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> photocatalysts were synthesized by the solution combustion synthesis method, followed by heat treatment at a temperature range of 400 to 1100 °C. Later, they were characterized for application in the photodegradation of synthetic dyes under visible radiation. The X-ray diffraction results showed the presence of cubic and tetragonal phases of CuFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> and secondary phases of Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> and CuO, at low temperatures. The infrared spectrum profile confirms the formation of the phases pointed out in the XRD. For most specimens, the scanning electron microscopy examination revealed a morphology similar to porous flakes and a quasi-spherical shape. On the other hand, samples heat-treated at 1100 °C displayed a plate-like morphology. The specimens’ band gap ranged from 1.49 to 1.58 eV, indicating that the material is a semiconductor. Regarding the photocatalytic efficiency, the 400 °C heat-treated samples showed better activity when the visible irradiation was used over the green malachite and rhodamine B dyes. The solution degradation rates on the first and former dyes were 56.60% and 84.30%, respectively.
ISSN:2073-4344