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Preparation of Highly Efficient CoFe2O4/Zn2SnO4 Composite Photocatalyst for the Degradation of Rhodamine B Dye from Aqueous Solution

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Abstract

CoFe2O4/Zn2SnO4 composite was synthesized using a simple two-step process and applied as a novel-efficient photocatalyst for the rhodamine B degradation from aqueous solution. Characterization techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2 adsorption-desorption isotherms, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), EDS analysis, and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy were employed in order to investigate the physical and chemical properties of composite. Higher values of the specific surface area, pore volume and diameter, and a smaller band-gap energy promoted a greater catalytic activity of CoFe2O4/Zn2SnO4 composite when compared to Zn2SnO4. A rapid decolorization of dye solution was observed at 40 min of reaction using the CoFe2O4/Zn2SnO4 catalyst, being 2.5 times faster than the Zn2SnO4 alone. Therefore, the CoFe2O4/Zn2SnO4 composite shows extraordinarily high photocatalytic activity toward the degradation of rhodamine B dye from aqueous solution.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are financially supported by the CAPES (PNPD - No. 20132633-42002010038P6 and FAPERGS No. 88887.195036/2018-00) (Brazilian Federal Agency for Support and Evaluation of Graduate Education).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Postgraduate Program in Chemical Engineering, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, 97105-900, Brazil

    Jivago Schumacher de Oliveira, Michel Brondani, Evandro Sttoffels Mallmann, Sérgio Luiz Jahn, Edson Luiz Foletto & Siara Silvestri

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  1. Jivago Schumacher de Oliveira
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  2. Michel Brondani
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  3. Evandro Sttoffels Mallmann
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  4. Sérgio Luiz Jahn
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  5. Edson Luiz Foletto
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  6. Siara Silvestri
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Correspondence to Siara Silvestri.

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de Oliveira, J.S., Brondani, M., Mallmann, E.S. et al. Preparation of Highly Efficient CoFe2O4/Zn2SnO4 Composite Photocatalyst for the Degradation of Rhodamine B Dye from Aqueous Solution. Water Air Soil Pollut 229, 386 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-018-4038-0

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