Nickel doped CoAl2O4@CNT nanocomposite: Synthesis, characterization, and evaluation of sunlight driven catalytic studies
By Irshad, Amna; Shahid, Muhammad; El-Bahy, Salah M.; Azab, Islam H. El; Mersal, Gaber A. M.; Ibrahim, Mohamed M.; Agboola, Philips O.; Shakir, Imran
Published in Physica B: Condensed Matter
2022
Abstract
The breakdown of the coloured and colourless organic dyes under natural sunlight was investigated by the prepared photocatalysts. Cobalt aluminate (CoAl2O4, CA) and nickel doped cobalt aluminate (Ni–CoAl2O4, NCA) were well synthesized by an easy pechini route. Ultra-sonication route was followed to prepare composite with carbon nanotubes (CoAl2O4@CNT, NCA@CNT). The prepared catalysts were comprehensively characterized by various techniques. Spinel structure and functional groups of synthesized photocatalysts was confirmed by XRD and FT-IR techniques. The surface morphology of the synthesized materials was analyzed via SEM. The optical properties of fabricated photocatalysts were investigated via UV–Visible spectroscopy. NCA@CNT nanocomposite exhibited greater photocatalytic activity than doped and undoped photocatalysts. NCA@CNT exhibited 92.7%, 88.77%, and 63.34% photodegradation of crystal violet, methylene blue, and benzoic acid respectively. A scavenger experiment was carried out to figure out efficient photoactive species taking part in the photodegradation of organic pollutants.