Visible light photo catalytic and optical property evolution of combustion method prepared copper doped nickel ferrite nanoparticles

Abstract

By using a simple microwave combustion technique, copper-doped NiFe2O4 spinel nanoparticles were formed. The XRD patterns demonstrated that Cu doping into NiFe2O4 spinel resulted in the creation of α-Fe2O3 secondary phase in addition to the cubic structure that already existed. Using SEM, morphological investigations revealed irregular shapes and severely agglomerated different grain boundaries. In an optical analysis, it was discovered that the band gap narrowed as the Cu2+ doping percentage raised. The octahedral site (Ni-O) and tetrahedral site (Fe-O) stretching modes of the Cu-doped nanoparticle structure were linked to bands at 548, 514, and 649cm-1 from FT-IR analysis. Cu-doped nanoparticles were examined for their enhanced photocatalytic degradation of RhB in visible light irradiation under atmosphere condition. The performance of pure NiFe2O4 as a photocatalyst was discovered to be greatly impacted by the Cu-doping. Additionally, the photo-catalytic effect was optimized (efficiency rose from 88.26 percent, x = 0-99.85 percent, x = 0.4) with the rise of Cu-doping into x=0.4. An in-depth discussion was had on the potential photocatalytic mechanism. The simultaneous improvement of photocatalytic activities serves as proof that Cu-doped NiFe2O4 spinel nanoparticles will perform well in multifunctional photochromic devices in future.