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Synthesis, characterization and application of pH-sensitive CoFe2O4/reduced graphene oxide (RGO) nanocomposite in a circulated photocatalytic reactor for Reactive Red 141 removal of wastewaters

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Abstract

In the present study, CoFe2O4/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite (CoFe2O4/RGO) has been synthesized, characterized and applied as a photocatalyst for Reactive Red 141 dye removal from colored wastewaters. In order to control the size and reduction of prepared CoFe2O4/RGO, a combination of co-precipitation and hydrothermal methods were employed. NH3 was used as a pH controlling and complexing agent. The nanocomposite was characterized and its properties were evaluated using FTIR, XRD, VSM, FESEM, TEM, TOC, Zeta potential, PL and UV–Vis spectroscopy. The TEM image shows that a well-separated low layer or a single layer reduced graphene oxide and is decorated during nanocomposite synthesis simultaneously with the synthesis, growth and uniform distribution of nanoparticles of 10 nm size. The measurement of magnetic properties of the synthesized nanocomposite shows that the nanocomposites are easily removable from the aqueous medium by applying a magnetic field. The photocatalytic performance was investigated on the degradation of aqueous Reactive Red 141 dye. Results of Zeta potential analysis confirm that photocatalytic performance is independent of surface charge and is related to the position of the valence band of OH−/OH· couples. Therefore, the photocatalyst could be suitable for treatment of basic effluents. A possible mechanism for the formation of the nanocomposite and its photocatalytic performance in various pHs has been proposed based on the results.

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Acknowledgements

In this work was supported by the Ceramic Department, Energy Research Center and Department of Environmental Research, Institute for Color Science and Technology.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ceramic Department, Materials and Energy Research Center, P.O. Box 31787/316, Karaj, Iran

    F. Sakhaei, E. Salahi & I. Mobasherpour

  2. Department of Environmental Research, Institute for Color Science and Technology, P.O. Box 16765-654, Tehran, Iran

    M. E. Olya

Authors
  1. F. Sakhaei
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  2. E. Salahi
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  3. M. E. Olya
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  4. I. Mobasherpour
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Correspondence to E. Salahi.

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Sakhaei, F., Salahi, E., Olya, M.E. et al. Synthesis, characterization and application of pH-sensitive CoFe2O4/reduced graphene oxide (RGO) nanocomposite in a circulated photocatalytic reactor for Reactive Red 141 removal of wastewaters. Res Chem Intermed 43, 4063–4078 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11164-017-2860-4

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