Synthesis and characterizations of Co-Zr doped Ni ferrite/PANI nanocomposites for photocatalytic methyl orange dye degradation

Co-Zr doped Ni ferrite substituted polyaniline (PANI) nanocomposites were prepared using polymerization reaction method. NiFeCo0.5Zr0.5O4 with 12.5%, 25%, 37.5% and 50% PANI (A1, A2, A3 and A4) were used to obtain better photocatalytic efficiency. XRD, UV/VIS, BET, and FESEM were employed to characterize the PANI/ ferrite nanocomposites. The effect of reaction time and nanoparticle concentrations on the photocatalytic degradation were thoroughly evaluated. XRD analysis confirmed the phase of NiFeCo0.5Zr0.5O4ferrite, while FESEM analysis was performed to investigate the surface morphology of the nanocomposites. The crystallinity was increased with the Co-Zr doped Ni ferrite contents in the prepared nanocomposites. UV/VIS study was done to evaluate the optical properties. Shifting of peaks towards higher wave number in FTIR spectra evident the interactions between the polymer and nanoparticles. UV-Vis studies also confirm the interactions of dopant metals with polyaniline backbone chains. The surface area and porosity of the nanocomposites were concluded by BET and FESEM images. The kinetics studies of methyl orange were described by the Pseudo First-Order relation (best adjust R20.9947 for 50% w/w (A4)). The degradation efficiency was increased with the increase of Co-Zr ferrite contents which depicted the remarkable influences of nanoparticles in the nanocomposites. It is expected that the prepared PANI/NiFeCo0.5Zr0.5O4 nanocomposites are suitable photocatalyst for the removal of methyl orange in aqueous media.

Automated summary

In this study, Co-Zr doped Ni ferrite substituted polyaniline (PANI) nanocomposites were prepared using a polymerization reaction method, and their photocatalytic efficiency was evaluated through a series of characterization experiments. The results confirmed the potential application of the prepared PANI/NiFeCo0.5Zr0.5O4 nanocomposites as suitable photocatalysts for the removal of methyl orange in aqueous media.