A new approach to the synthesis of CuFe2O4@CeO2 direct Z‐scheme with a core‐shell structure for enhanced photo‐degradation of methyl violet under ultraviolet and visible‐light irradiation. Issue 5 (7th April 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Touahra, Fouzia; Zemmache, Safia; Djema, Souhila; Chebout, Redouane; Lerari, Djahida; Bachari, Khaldoun
• Is Part Of: Environmental progress & sustainable energy. Volume 41:Issue 5(2022)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2022-04-07
• Subjects: direct Z‐scheme -- photo‐degradation -- synergistic effect -- UV and visible‐light; Environmental engineering -- Periodicals; Sustainable engineering -- Periodicals; Environmental chemistry -- Periodicals; 333.7
• DOI: 10.1002/ep.13865
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1944-7442

Abstract

Abstract: A direct Z‐scheme photocatalyst CuFe2 O4 @CeO2 core‐shell was applied in the photocatalytic degradation of the methyl violet dye 2B (MV). In first, CuFe2 O4 and CeO2 were synthesized via sol–gel method, and then CuFe2 O4 @CeO2 nanocomposite was prepared using microwave process. The nanoparticles were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TG and derivative thermogravimetry [DTG]), atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive‐X‐ray (EDX) and ultraviolet (UV)–visible diffuse reflectance/absorption spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activity of CuFe2 O4 @CeO2 nanocomposite was evaluated by the photo‐degradation of the MV under UV and visible‐light irradiation. MV does not rapidly degrade itself in UV or visible‐light but the process is accelerated upon the addition of semiconductors with a wide band‐gap. The CuFe2 O4 @CeO2 nanocomposite shows an important MV decomposition rate under visible‐light irradiation (95.35% within 1.5 h) as compared to UV‐light (86.10% within 2.5 h). The excellent activity of CuFe2 O4 @CeO2 under UV and visible‐light was mainly attributed to direct Z‐scheme which are originated from a core‐shell structure which prompted the generation of ˙OH radical species responsible for the photo‐degradation of the substance. However, this could also be due to the large specific surface area and/or efficient UV–vis harvesting.