Abstract
The classical co-precipitation technique was carried out for the preparation of cobalt ferrite (CFN), and Ag-doped cobalt ferrite (AgCFN). Composite with graphitic carbon nitride (AgCFN@gCN) was prepared by employing the ultrasonication method. Photocatalytic degradation activity of synthesized materials was evaluated using crystal violet (coloured compound) and benzimidazole (colourless compound) under sunlight. Various physiochemical methods such as UV-Visible, XRD, SEM, and FT-IR spectroscopy were employed for the characterization of prepared samples. XRD was used for structural characterization. The prepared nanomaterials were sized up to be < 09 nm. FT-IR spectroscopy was exploited for the functional group characterization. Surface morphology was perceived through Scanning Electron Microscope. Optical analysis was carried out using a UV-Visible spectrophotometer. The photodegradation efficiencies for crystal violet and benzimidazole were ascertained to be in the order of CFN < AgCFN < AgCFN@gCN, under sunlight. Among the synthesized photocatalysts, AgCFN@gCN was discovered to have the highest photocatalytic degradation efficiency of 52.72% and 84.21% for benzimidazole and crystal violet, respectively. The higher catalytic activity of AgCFN@gCN can be associated with its high surface area and the presence of active sites of the gCN sheets. Role of electrons (e(-)), holes (h(+)), and hydroxyl radicals (OH & lowast;) in the photocatalytic activity was also assessed.