Effect of calcination temperature on the structural and photocatalytic properties of iron(II)-doped copper ferrite CuII 0.4FeII 0.6FeIII 2 O4

This letter reports the effect of calcination temperature on the structural, morphological, and photocatalytic properties of powdered iron(II)-doped copper ferrites (CuII 0.4FeII 0.6FeIII 2 O4). CuII 0.4FeII 0.6FeIII 2 O4 ferrite was prepared by a simple precipitation method applying sequential increments in the calcination temperature, i.e., 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, and 550 degrees C, keeping other conditions constant. The prepared materials were characterized by XRD, SEM, and EDS techniques, and their photocatalytic activity was studied by the degra-dation of methylene blue in a visible-light-driven photo-Fenton system. XRD patterns revealed that the increase in calcination temperature resulted in the appearance of sharp peaks with the formation of separated phases of hematite and tenorite, which were also confirmed by EDS investigation. The needle-like morphologies of the materials appeared as the calcination temperature increased above 300 degrees C. The degradation of methylene blue followed pseudo-first-order kinetics.

Automated summary

This study investigates the effects of calcination temperature on the structural, morphological, and photocatalytic properties of CuII 0.4FeII 0.6FeIII 2 O4 ferrite. The ferrite was prepared using a simple precipitation method and subjected to sequential increments in calcination temperature. XRD and SEM analysis revealed the formation of separated phases of hematite and tenorite as the calcination temperature increased. The materials exhibited needle-like morphologies above 300 degrees C. Photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue followed pseudo-first-order kinetics.