Auto-combustion synthesis of Sr2Fe2O5/Dy3Fe5O12 nanocomposite using Hordeum vulgare L extract: Preparation, structural analysis and evaluation of its photocatalytic and electrochemical behaviors

Abstract

Due to the increase in pollution, and incredibly polluted water resources, access to safe water has become one of the major human activities in the present age. Also, existing organic compounds from industrial wastewater in water sources are a concern for human health. So in this work, Sr2Fe2O5/Dy3Fe5O12 (SFO/DFO) nanocomposite were fabricated via a green auto-combustion sol-gel method using Hordeum vulgare L extract as a natural fuel. Proper control over the dimensions and morphology of nanocomposite was achieved by changing the parameters consisting of fuel types (natural and chemical) and calcination temperature. The results showed that every parameter affects the particle size and morphology of products, and by controlling these factors, the optimum sample can be obtained. The photocatalytic ability of SFO/ DFO nanocomposite was performed for the destruction of organic dyes. This nanocomposite was used to investigate the photocatalytic properties under UV light in the aqueous solution of methylene blue (MB), Erythrosine, and acid red dyes. The results of the photocatalytic process showed 82% discoloration for the methylene blue (MB). Three compounds, including Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, 1, 4-Benzoquinone, and Benzoic acid, were used as scavengers to investigate the mechanism of the photocatalytic process. The results showed that the mechanism of the photocatalytic process proceeds through hydroxide radicals, which Benzoic acid scavenges. The electrochemical redox behavior of MB on SFO/DFO/CPE (carbon-paste electrode) was studied using cyclic voltammetry (CV). Besides, according to the VSM result, SFO/DFO nanocomposite is ferromagnetic