Polyaniline based magnesium nanoferrite composites as efficient photocatalysts for the photodegradation of Indigo Carmine in aqueous solutions

The industrial revolution although has reached its unprecedented altitude benefiting mankind in various aspects yet the resulting pollution is a serious threat to the environment. Dyes are among the major pollutants that contaminate water resources. Hence, a facile synthesis of PANI/MgFe2O4 nanoferrite composite and its hybrids as photocatalysts for the degradation of Indigo carmine in aqueous solutions is described. The photocatalysts were designed in situ through self-polymerization of monomer aniline. The catalytic activity of each composite was studied by evaluating its efficiency to photodegrade water soluble carcinogenic indigo carmine dye in aqueous solution. Different parameters like dye concentration, dose of photocatalyst, contact time and pH have been studied to optimize reaction conditions. The FTIR, SEM and XRD studies were carried to determine chemical as well as morphological feature characteristics of nanoferrite composite (MgFe2O4 + PANI) and hybrid nanoferrite composites (MFe2O4 + PANI + silica gel). The XRD confirmed the cubic structure of nano ferrite. The SEM image of polyaniline/composite suggested porous surface and highly agglomerated granular shape. The FTIR spectra of polyaniline and its composites evinced the formation of composite possessing spinal ferrite structure. The single coated PANI/MgFe2O4 composite presented higher photo-degradation percentage i.e. 97.52% as compared to hybrid nanoferrite composites i.e. 94.36% and hence presented promising results to purify water contaminated with respective dye.