Fabrication of Novel WO۳ /NiCo۲O۴ magnetic photocatalystswith UV-lightdriven photocatalytic activity in MB degradation in an aqueous solution

This work presents the preparation and characterization of a novel synthesized Tungstentrioxide and Nickel Cobaltite hybrid(WO۳/NiCo۲O۴) and investigates its photocatalytic activityfor Methylene Blue (MB) decomposition under UV radiation. Thenanopowder ofWO۳/NiCo۲O۴was synthesized by hydrothermal method. The samples using various mass ratios(۱:۱, ۱:۲, and ۲:۱) of WO۳ and NiCo۲O۴ were prepared under the same conditions. Severaltechniques, such as XRD,SEM,TEM,BET,DRS, and VSM were used to characterize thestructure and morphology of the products.The WO۳/NiCo۲O۴photocatalysts exhibit enhancedphotocatalytic removal efficiency towards the target pollutant in comparison to pristine NiCo۲O۴and WO۳.Although The valence band potential (EVB) of WO۳ reaches approximately ۲.۷–۳.۴ eVwhich is a suitable potential for oxidation but single component WO۳ has displayed lowphotocatalytic performance despite UV light or visible light range because of its low conductionband edge position (+۰.۵ V vs. NHE at pH = ۰) [۱]. NiCo۲O۴ is used as a valuable candidate forphotocatalysis as it provides a redox couple of Co۳+/Co۲+ and Ni۳+/Ni۲+which provideconsiderably more catalytic active sites when compared with NiO and Co۳O۴. However, thepractical use of NiCo۲O۴ as photocatalytic material is minimal due to its low efficiency and longtermstability[۲].The aim of the synthesis of WO۳/NiCo۲O۴hybrid samples is to improve the photocatalyticproperties of semiconductors and to solve the challenges that were discussed. The advantage ofthe above research is the use of this photocatalyst to increase the efficiency of wastewatertreatment and lower the costs to remove colored pollutants. The synthesized material must havemagnetic properties to reuse the synthesized sample for multiple cycles in the photocatalyticprocess.The magnetic separation of WO۳/NiCo۲O۴ nanocomposite dispersed in an aqueoussolution by employing a permanent magnet to provide a magnetic field is possible[۳].

Keywords:

Dye , Nanocomposite , NiCo۲O۴ , Photocatalyst , WO۳