Effect of TiO₂on Photocatalytic Activity of NiZnFe₂O₄/TiO₂ Nanocrystalline for Methylene Blue Degradation

Abstract

The photocatalytic activity of NiZnFe2O4/TiO2 core-shell gg nanocrystalline was carried out. The NiZnFe2O4/TiO2 core-shell was synthesized using co-precipitation method with various concentrations 1:0, 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 1:4, and 1:5. X-ray diffraction spectra pattern showed crystallite size at various concentrations 1:0, 1:1, and 1:3, which of 5.00 nm, 4.90 nm, and 10.81 nm, respectively. The morphology of NiZnFe2O4 nanocrystalline was characterized by transmission electron microscopy which confirmed that the sample undergoes agglomeration with not uniform particle shape. The average particle size of the nanocrystalline was 10.26 nm. Fourier transform infra-red showed functional groups such as Ti-O-Ti, M-Otetra, and M-Oocta at 1473.62, 563 - 586, and 401- 424 cm-1. In addition, the presence of Ti-O-Ti and M-O functional groups indicates NiZnFe2O4/TiO2 core-shell has been formed. The absorbance spectrum of the NiZnFe2O4/TiO2 core-shell has an energy band gap in the range of 2.1 – 3.3 eV. The results of the Vibrating sample magnetometer showed saturation magnetization and coercivity values ​​in the range of 12.4 – 22.9 emu/gr and 47 - 55 Oe, which were correlated as soft magnetic properties. NiZnFe2O4/TiO2 was successfully degraded Methylene Blue that reach 99.8% under UV light irradiation. The addition of TiO2 increases degradation, TiO2 acts as a trapping state that inhibits electron-hole recombination which can prolong the reaction time between free electrons and MB solution molecules. This study revealed the high potential of NiZnFe2O4/TiO2 core-shell nanocrystalline in photocatalytic application.