Pechini synthesis of Co2SiO4 magnetic nanoparticles and its application in photo-degradation of azo dyes

In this work Co2SiO4 nanoparticles were synthesized via a facile Pechini sol-gel method. The prepared products were characterized by X-ray diffraction pattern (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Alternating gradient force magnetometer (AGFM) illustrates para-magnetic behaviour of Co2SiO4 nanoparticles. The photocatalytic behaviour of Co2SiO4 nanoparticles was evaluated using the degradation of three azo dyes (acid black, acid brown and methyl orange) under ultraviolet light irradiation. The results show that nanocomposites have applicable magnetic and photocatalytic performance. In order to prepare polymeric nanocomposite, Co2SiO4 were added to poly styrene (PS) and polysulfone (PSu) matrices. Outcomes confirm that nanoparticles appropriately enhanced both thermal stability and flame retardant property of the PSu and PS matrices. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.