Co-Precipitation Synthesis of NiFe2O4 Using NH4HCO3 as Precipitant: Characterization and Photocatalytic Degradation of Organic Pollutant

Abstract

Structural properties and the photocatalytic activity of the synthesized NiFe2O4 via co-precipitation process using NH4HCO3 as a precipitating agent were studied. The resulting sample was calcined at 550°C and the formation of pure ferrite phase with spinel structure was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy methods. The morphology of this spinel was investigated using a scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The optical absorption spectroscopy obtained the optical band gap (Eg = 1.81 eV). This material was applied as a photocatalyst for the photodegradation under UV light of Congo Red (CR) a persistent and recalcitrant dye. The effect of catalyst dose, initial concentration, and pH on photocatalytic degradation was investigated. Degradation efficiency of 82% was achieved for 3 h with a catalyst dose of 0.5 g/L. Furthermore, the material exhibited better photocatalytic activity in an alkaline medium, and the degradation kinetics followed a pseudo-first-order reaction.