Solar Driven photocatalysis using CoFe۲O۴-CNT nanocomposites for degradation of hazardous Rose Bengal dye

The study involved the preparation of CoFe۲O۴ -CNT nanocomposites through the dispersion of CNT and ferrites into Xylene. Cobalt ferrites were synthesized using a chemical co-precipitation method. The main objective was to investigate the structural, optical and photocatalytic properties of the synthesized nanocomposites using Rose Bengal dye as a model pollutant. Structural analysis was conducted using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and XRD, confirming the formation of a Single-phase spinal structure of ferrites and nanocomposites with an average particle size of around ۲۵ nm. UV-Vis. spectroscopy and Photoluminescence (PL) were used to study the optical properties of the samples, indicating that the bandgap of the sample is within the visible range, making it suitable for visible light photocatalysis. The band gap shifted to a slightly lower side after the formation of the nanocomposite, and the PL revealed that recombination time increased after the formation of nanocomposites compared to pure CoFe۲O۴. FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the formation of the spinal structure of ferrites and identified various bonds present in the sample. The photocatalytic activity of the sample showed a significant increase in the dye degradation capacity of ferrites. This increase in photocatalytic activity was consistent with earlier results obtained by PL spectroscopy, which confirmed the formation of a Z-scheme visible light photocatalyst.

Keywords:

CNT , Nanocomposites , Z-Scheme Photocatalyst , Solar Energy