Fabrication of novel magnetic CuS/Fe3O4/GO nanocomposite for organic pollutant degradation under visible light irradiation

The magnetic nanocomposites composed of copper sulphide, iron oxide, and graphene oxide (CuS/Fe3O4/GO) were synthesized through a facile sol-gel combined with hydrothermal techniques for photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) as a model organic pollutant. The as-prepared samples were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), differential reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) and results confirmed successful synthesis of magnetic nanocomposite. Presence of Fe3O4 and GO in nanocomposite induced a synergistic effect in CuS performance as CS(88)F(6)G(6) (i.e. 88% CuS, 6% Fe3O4, and 6% GO). The photocatalytic degradation efficiency of MB reached up to 90.3% after exposure to visible light irradiation for 80 min. The composite nanosheets are photostable, reusable, and magnetically recoverable, revealing potential application in removal of organic pollutants.

Automated summary

The magnetic nanocomposites CuS/Fe3O4/GO were synthesized for photodegradation of methylene blue, with a high degradation efficiency of 90.3% after 80 minutes of visible light irradiation. The composite nanosheets are photostable, reusable, and magnetically recoverable, showing potential for organic pollutant removal applications.