Cu_xMg_(0.6)Zn_(0.4)Fe₂O₄ Nanomaterials and Their Composite for Photocatalytic Degradation of Colored and Colorless Effluents Under Xenon Lamp

In this report, Mg_(0.6)Zn_(0.4)Fe₂O₄ (MZF) and Cu_xMg_(0.6)Zn_(0.4)Fe₂O₄ (CMZF) where (x = 0.2) were synthesized via sol–gel method. The composite of Cu_xMg_(0.6)Zn_(0.4)Fe₂O₄ with reduced graphene oxide (Cu_xMg_(0.6)Zn_(0.4)Fe₂O₄@rGO) was fabricated by wet chemical approach to get over the adverse impacts of toxic dyes and pathogenic bacterial strains. The rGO possesses high stability, larger surface area and an enhanced ability for electron transport during photocatalysis. X-ray diffraction, Scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Mott Schottky and UV–Visible spectroscopy were used to analyze the physiochemical properties of manufactured materials. Methylene blue (MB) and benzoic acid (BA) degradation was performed under the visible light of the Xenon lamp. The photocatalytic activity of MB exhibited degradation efficiency by MZF, CMZF, and CMZF@rGO was 16.67%, 42.72% and 76.19% respectively and degradation of BA by MZF, CMZF, and CMZF@rGO was 26.92%, 44.44% and 60.42% respectively. The composite (CMZF@rGO) exhibited the best degradation efficiency than bare and doped materials (MZF and CMZF) due to the greater surface area. As surface area increased, the e⁻/h⁺ pair recombination rate decreased. Therefore, the photocatalytic efficiency of the material enhanced. It is examined, CMZF@rGO has potential applications in the photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants.