RETRACTED ARTICLE: Enhanced Elimination of Dyes from Aqueous Solution and Antioxidant Activity Using Ascorbic Acid-Functionalized Iron Oxide Nanocomposites

This study presents the synthesis and characterization of iron oxide nanocomposites (Fe₃O₄/Fe₂O₃ NC) functionalized with ascorbic acid (Fe₃O₄/Fe₂O₃@AA NC) for enhanced photocatalytic and antioxidant activities. The nanocomposites were synthesized using a modified co-precipitation method and characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, FTIR, XRD, and SEM. The photocatalytic degradation of Brilliant Cresyl Blue (BCB) and amoxicillin (AMX) under sunlight irradiation was evaluated. Results showed a remarkable degradation efficiency of 99.2% for BCB and 99.1% for AMX using Fe₃O₄/Fe₂O₃@AA NC, compared to 97% and 95% with Fe₃O₄/Fe₂O₃ NC. The rate constants for the degradation of BCB were 0.041 min⁻¹ for Fe₃O₄/Fe₂O₃@AA NC and 0.031 min⁻¹ for Fe₃O₄/Fe₂O₃ NC, while for AMX, they were 0.035 min⁻¹ and 0.025 min⁻¹, respectively. Additionally, the antioxidant activity of Fe₃O₄/Fe₂O₃@AA NC was significantly higher, ranging from 45% to 95.25%, compared to 41.8% to 79.6% for Fe₃O₄/Fe₂O₃ NC. These findings suggest that ascorbic acid functionalization significantly enhances the photocatalytic and antioxidant properties of iron oxide nanocomposites.