Copper and cerium co-doped cobalt ferrite nanoparticles: structural, morphological, optical, magnetic, and photocatalytic properties

A rapid synthetic technique is investigated for magnetic nanoparticles (Co1-yCuyFe2-xCexO4 (x=0, y=0), (x=0.05, y=0), (x=0, y=0.5), and (x=0.05, y=0.5)). The structure, morphology, optical and magnetic performance of prepared nanoparticles are analyzed by powder XRD, XPS, FT-IR, SEM-EDAX, TEM, DRS, and VSM. The photocatalytic activity of the synthesized nanoparticles for the removal of the Congo red (CR) dye and bisphenol A (BPA) from aqueous solution is examined by UV-visible spectrometer. Research indicates that the co-doping of Cu2+ and Ce3+ showed marked effect on the structural, optical, magnetic, and photocatalytic properties of the CoFe2O4 nanoparticles. DRS showed that the Co0.5Cu0.5Fe1.95Ce0.05O4 nanoparticles have lower band gap energy (0.78eV) than other synthesized compounds. High removal percentage of CR and BPA (99.09% and 99.33%) was observed within 30min and 180min under visible and UV-light illumination respectively using Co0.5Cu0.5Fe1.95Ce0.05O4. The corresponding photocatalytic degradation kinetics and mechanism are analyzed.