TmVO4/Fe2O3 nanocomposites: Sonochemical synthesis, characterization, and investigation of photocatalytic activity

Today, a unique method of treating environmental contaminants is drawing considerable attention. Organic dyes are significant wastes from myriad industries, including paper, food, and textiles, which have become a serious environmental concern and have the potential to be toxic to humans and living organisms. This study demonstrates the fabri-cation and characterization of thulium vanadate (TmVO4) nanostructures and TmVO4/ Fe2O3 nanocomposites that were effectively applied in the photodecomposition efficiency of cationic and anionic organic contaminants. The TmVO4/Fe2O3 nanocomposites were prepared through a sonochemical method, and triethylenetetramine (TETA) was employed as a precipitating and capping agent. The tests were performed using a probe as a soni-cation source (60 W, 18 kHz). The impact of TmVO4 content (5, 10, 15, and 30%) on the modification of binary nanocomposites was studied in terms of morphological, optical, and photocatalytic properties. The recyclable magnetic TmVO4/Fe2O3 nanocomposites with 15% TmVO4 achieve 68.3% of eriochrome black t (EBT) utilizing visible origin. More notably, the binary TmVO4/Fe2O3 nanocomposites reveal higher photocatalytic activity than the pure TmVO4 and Fe2O3 nanoparticles.(c) 2022 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.