Preparation of magnetically retrievable CoFe2O4@SiO2@Dy2Ce2O7 nanocomposites as novel photocatalyst for highly efficient degradation of organic contaminants

Abstract

CoFe2O4@SiO2@Dy2Ce2O7 magnetic nanocomposite as recyclable photocatalyst has been prepared for the first time. The cobalt ferrite component was produced through combustion route with the aid of grape juice as novel and green fuel, and the silica component was prepared through sol-gel route with the aid of 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediamine as new basic agent as well as Dy2Ce2O7 component has been synthesized through a modified Pechini route with the aid of 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediamine as novel pH regulator. The as-fabricated CoFe2O4@SiO2@Dy2Ce2O7 nanostructures were characterized by FESEM, DRS, TEM, EDX, XRD, VSM and BET. This is the first try on the survey of photocatalytic efficiency of CoFe2O4@SiO2@Dy2Ce2O7 nanostructures. Role of kind of irradiation source, catalyst loading and kind of contaminant has been described upon improving performance of CoFe2O4@SiO2@Dy2Ce2O7 nanostructures. The results indicated that the fabricated CoFe2O4@SiO2@Dy2Ce2O7 could be potentially utilized as efficient and favorable kind of recyclable photocatalyst for removal of water contaminants.