No abstract

In this paper, we report the studies on photocatalytic activity of the zinc ferrite nanoparticles for the degradation of methylene blue dye. The study reveals that an optimum minimum dosage of 1g/L can give a degradation efficiency of 89% within 90 minutes of its exposure to the sunlight. Zinc ferrite nanoparticles were synthesised using co-precipitation method in stoichiometric ratio. Structural, magnetic and optical characterisation were done using XRD, FTIR, VSM and UV-VIS-IR analysis which confirmed the crystalline, magnetic and visible light active nature of the sample. Feasibility for magnetic retrieval of the photocatalyst was studied after photodegradation of dye and then analysed using XRD which confirmed the phase purity of the sample even after retrieval.

Herein, we report for the first time the thermal diffusivity of zinc ferrite/ silver/ silver chloride nanocomposite with a four-fold enhancement in comparison with the base fluid. A systematic analysis of the dependence of calcination temperature and synthesis routes on the crystallinity of nanocomposites of zinc ferrite with silver and silver chloride suiting it for diverse applications was done. Synthesized via the co-precipitation method, the samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction, Field emission scanning electron microscopy, Energy dispersive X-ray, Vibration sample magnetometer, ultraviolet-visible Diffusive Reflective spectroscopy and Photoluminescence studies. A zeta potential of -31.1mV was obtained for the sample showing good colloidal stability. The thermal diffusivity of the samples as nanofluids was analyzed using the dual beam thermal lens method. The study also envisages the magnetically retrievable and visible light-active nature of the synthesized samples indicating their suitability for photocatalytic degradation of toxic dyes. The work on photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue stands out in attaining rapid, efficient dye degradation of 98% within 90 minutes of sunlight exposure in comparison with unblended zinc ferrite nanoparticles even without any oxidizing agent.