Synthesis and Characterization of CoFe2O4 / Bi2O3 Photocatalysts and their Applications for dye degradation

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.