Unveiling the Significant Role on Synthesis of Magnetic CuFe2O4 Photocatalyst for Dye Degradation
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48048/tis.2026.12296Keywords:
Magnetic, Metal ferrite, Photocatalyst, Spinel ferriteAbstract
Metal ferrites have been known and utilized in various applications, including as photocatalyst for organic contaminated water treatment. In this work, exploration on synthesis of copper ferrite (CuFe2O4) by evaluating the role of synthesis method and the use of surfactant on physicochemical characteristics has been performed. Effect of hydrothermal (HT) and ultrasound-irradiation methods with and without the addition of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as templating agent on physical and optical features was analysed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-Transform Infra-red, particle’s size analysis, diffuse reflectance UV-Visible spectrophotometry (UV-DRS), and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). Photocatalytic activity of the prepared samples was examined in methyl violet photocatalytic degradation under UV and visible lights exposure. The HT treatment produced higher crystallite and particle’s size, and the increased size is correlated to decreased band gap energy of nanomaterials. In addition, the particle size which also influenced to magnetism. The band gap energy of materials are ranging at 1.71 - 2.01 eV, while magnetism ranging at 14.45 - 18.41 emu/g with the highest value gained by HT-prepared nanomaterial, while the lowest value is observed by ultrasound-irradiated method. Photocatalytic performance of the prepared materials is excellent as shown by an efficient methyl violet degradation under UV and visible light exposure. The maximum degradation of 99.9% was achieved by CuFe2O4 with the lowest band gap and largest crystallite size prepared under hydrothermal method without CTAB addition.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Crystallite size of CuFe2O4 is determined by synthesis procedure and influenced by the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide as templating agent physicochemical character and photocatalytic activity
- Band gap energy and magnetism of CuFe2O4 are correlated to the crystallite size, which depends on synthesis procedure.
- CuFe2O4 showed a high potentiality to be photocatalyst in methyl violet removal under UV and visible lights.
GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
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