Sm-substituted copper-cobalt ferrite nanoparticles: Preparation and assessment of structural, magnetic and photocatalytic properties for wastewater treatment applications

The nanoparticles of Co0.5Cu0.5SmxFe2-xO4 (0 <= x <= 0.15) (CCS) were synthesized with the citrate combustion approach and then exploited to remove the noxious Rhodamine B (RhB) dye from the pollutant water. Before this mission of RhB disposal began, the CCS ferrite nanoparticles were comprehensively characterized by progressing analysis; as XRD, FTIR, STEM, VSM, DRS. The average crystallite size estimated using Williamson-Hall (W-H) method is in the range (75-45 nm). FTIR spectra exhibits the two finger print bands upsilon(1) (similar to 572) and upsilon(2) (similar to 375) of spinel ferrites. The STEM-EDX micrographs confirmed the purity, nanocrystalline nature of the CCS samples and existence of all the constituents' elements; Co, Cu, Sm, Fe and O ions without any other impurities. A gradual decrease for Ms values is remarked with further Sm3+ ions substitution; from M-S = 55.373 emu/g (at x = 0.0) to M-S = 43.981 emu/g (at x = 0.15). Coercivity shows a distinct behavior; increased from 892.81 Oe at pristine Co-Cu sample reaching a maximum value 1112.70 Oe (at x = 0.09) and then decreased to 983.09 Oe (for x = 0.15). The microwave frequency of the CCS nanoferrites is in the range 12.25-9.73 GHz. The pristine Co-Cu nanoparticles has band gap 1.57 eV, whereas all Sm3+ substituted nanoferrites have lower band gap values as 1.51, 1.55, 1.44, 1.51 and 1.36 eV with further Sm3+ ion substitution process. The photocatalytic activity of the nano-Co0.5Cu0.5SmxFe2-xO4 catalysts were scrutinized by the degradation of RhB dye using simulated sunlight source. Astonishingly, maximum degradation percentage was aggrandized to be 94.36%, under 270 min, for the nanoferrite with x = 0.15. Therefore, it is concluded that Sm doped Co-Cu nanoferrites is more convenient candidate for wastewater treatment applications besides switching, and high frequency absorption applications in microwave region. (C) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Nanoparticles of Co0.5Cu0.5SmxFe2-xO4 were synthesized and characterized for Rhodamine B dye removal, showing promising results with a degradation percentage of up to 94.36% under certain conditions. The Sm-doped Co-Cu nanoferrites demonstrate potential advantages in wastewater treatment and high frequency absorption applications in the microwave region.