Dosage optimisation of magnetically retrievable zinc ferrite nanoparticles for photodegradation of methylene blue

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.

Enhanced Thermal Diffusivity and Photocatalytic Dye Degradation Capability of Zinc Ferrite/Silver/Silver Chloride Nanocomposites

“…The degradation of dye can be monitored by evaluating its absorbance spectrum using a UV-VIS-NIR spectrophotometer which quantifies the concentration of the dye in the solution as stated by Beer's law. The photocatalytic degradation capability of synthesized samples was tested for degradation of methylene blue dye (10ppm) at an optimized sample dosage of 1gL -1 [17]. The samples added to the dye solution were stirred in darkness for 30 minutes for attaining adsorption-desorption equilibrium before exposing to sunlight.…”