ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Eco-friendly dye degradation: advanced Gd-Ni co-doped Ba-hexaferrite photocatalyst for methyl green removal

Saima Rasheed, Muhammad Jamshaid, Shahid Iqbal, M. Ajmal Ali, Mohammad Abul Farah, Saltanat Aghayeva, Qasim Raza, Amir Nazir, and Sana Ijaz

Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, Times Institute Multan, Multan, Pakistan

E-mail: shahidiqbal0102@gmail.com

Received: 13 June 2024  Accepted: 8 September 2024

Abstract:

The current study focuses on synthesizing and characterizing the Gd and Ni co-doped Ba_1-xGd_xFe_12-yNi_yO₁₉ nanoparticles (NPs) via emulsion method. The as-fabricated NPs were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis , Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis, Raman spectroscopy, Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) analysis. The synthesis of single-phase Ba-hexaferrites with hexagonal geometry was successfully formed, with co-doping of Gd at tetrahedral and Ni at octahedral sites. SEM analysis revealed tubular particles with rounded spherical geometry, with an increased surface area increase in particle size from 25 to 35 nm upon doping. The magnetic investigation showed increased magnetization (45.7–70.2 emu/g) with co-doping. The doped materials showed excellent photocatalytic activities, degrading almost 90.2% of methyl green (MG) dye in 60 min of sunlight illumination in comparison with 32.26% of their counterpart. The reusability test showed excellent stability and recoverability, with only 1% loss in degradation activity after 5 runs. The results suggest that Gd- and Ni-doped Ba_1-xGd_xFe_12-yNi_yO₁₉ NPs have superior photocatalytic activities, more magnetization, an exposed surface area, and excellent reusability, making them suitable for potential applications.

Graphical abstract

Keywords: Barium hexaferrite; Microemulsion; Saturation magnetization; Photodegradation; Scavengers; Methyl green dye

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.1007/s11696-024-03702-0

Chemical Papers 78 (16) 8701–8718 (2024)