Abstract:
Semiconductors based photocatalysis is a likely approach to overawed many pollution problems
and eradicate toxic organic materials from waste-water. In this work, nanoparticles of Bi2O3 and
CoFe2O4 were prepared using hydrothermal method. Afterward Composites of Bismuth oxide
and cobalt ferrite were prepared by solid state mixing via grinding using mortar and pestle. These
composites were prepared in different concentration i.e. 1:1, 3:1 and 1: 3 w/w of as synthesized
cobalt ferrite and bismuth oxide materials, respectively.
The prepared nano catalysts were characterized by Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray
diffraction and Energy dispersive spectroscopy. DRS studies were used to make Tauc plots and
from these plots band gaps were calculated. The SEM images depicted that pure samples and
composites displayed spherical morphology with average crystallite size below 40nm. The
XRD patterns of CoFe2O4 and Bi2O3 revealed cubic and tetragonal phase with no extra peak
present in the samples. EDX analysis showed the elemental composition all prepared samples.
Degradation studies were carried out in the presence of UV-vis light using Xenon lamp. Photo
degradation studies of methyl orange (0.01mM) were done using bare Bi2O3, CoFe2O4, as well as
their nanocomposites. Nanocomposite in ratio 1:1w/w showed the best photocatalytic activity up
to 94% as compared to other prepared photocatalysts.
