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Enhanced photocatalytic activity of CuxNi1−xFe2O4 -rGO composite

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Abstract

Here in this article, we reported the effect of divalent metal cations Cu2+ on photocatalytic properties of spinel nickel ferrite (NiFe2O4). Copper substituted, and unsubstituted nickel ferrite particles were prepared by a wet chemical route. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy confirmed the successful formation of Cu-NiFe2O4 and their composite with reduced graphene oxide (rGO). The rGO was used as conducting matrix as well as to enhance the catalytic sites on the surface of copper substituted nickel ferrites. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to confirm the preparation of Cu-NiFe2O4/rGO nanocomposite. The enhanced surface area of the prepared nanocomposite showed a drastic increase in their photocatalytic property. It was observed that photocatalytic activity of nickel NiFe2O4 was enhanced up to about 30% when the crystal lattice of pure nickel ferrite was substituted by divalent copper metal ions. The Cu-NiFe2O4/rGO nanocomposite exhibited much higher degradation efficiency as compared to bare NiFe2O4. The photocatalytic activity of prepared copper substituted nickel ferrite, and their nanocomposite with reduced graphene oxide was further confirmed by electrochemical measurements. These included the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, photocurrent response, and Mott–Schottky measurements.

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Acknowledgements

The authors sincerely appreciate the King Saud University, Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) for financial support through Researchers Supporting project RSP-2021/163.

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  1. College of Engineering Al-Muzahmia Branch, King Saud University, P.O. Box: 800, Riyadh, 11421, Saudi Arabia

    Philips O. Agboola

  2. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA

    Imran Shakir

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  1. Philips O. Agboola
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Agboola, P.O., Shakir, I. Enhanced photocatalytic activity of CuxNi1−xFe2O4 -rGO composite. J. Korean Ceram. Soc. 59, 686–697 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43207-022-00209-w

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s43207-022-00209-w

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