Investigating the role of Al doping on the bandgap modulation and photocatalytic efficiency of strontium manganese ferrite for ciprofloxacin degradation

Abstract

Abstract In this study, aluminum-doped strontium manganese ferrite Sr0.2Mn0.8AlxFe2−XO4 (x = 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6) was used as a photocatalyst for ciprofloxacin degradation under visible light. It was prepared via Sol-gel combustion and characterized using XRD, FTIR, SEM, BET, resistivity, and optical spectroscopy, confirming its spinel structure, physicochemical attributes, and bandgap modulation from Al doping. Under Normal conditions, Sr0.2Mn0.8Al0.4Fe1.6O4 achieved 90.24% ciprofloxacin removal in 120 min under 100 W of visible light at pH 7 and 30°C. Scavenging experiments have identified superoxide and hydroxyl radicals as the primary reactive species. The kinetic analysis revealed a first-order rate law (R2 = 0.987). The catalyst exhibited excellent stability over five reuse cycles, retaining 78.32% efficiency. This research highlights the remarkable capacity of aluminum-doped strontium manganese ferrites as a sturdy and effective photocatalyst for solar-light-induced degradation of contemporary water pollutants, including ciprofloxacin.