Photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B using Yb3+-Doped Zn-Mg ferrites synthesized via conventional sol-gel auto-combustion method

• Published in: Ceramics international 2024-11, Vol.50 (22), p.46940-46961
• Main Authors: Dhasharatha, U., Vinod, G., Rajashekhar, K., Mallesh, D., Sreematha, B., Laxman Naik, J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: BET; Cation-distribution; EIS; HR-TEM; P-XRD; Photocatalytic activity; VSM-Soft ferrites
• ISSN: 0272-8842
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ceramint.2024.09.046

The primary goal of our research is to develop a photocatalyst capable of degrading organic molecules in water, achieved through the rare earth Yb3+ doping of Zn-Mg spinel ferrites. A key element of our approach is the use of the conventional sol-gel auto-combustion process, which has proven to be an effective method for synthesizing a high-performing, visible light-driven Zn0.9Mg0.1Fe2-xYbxO4 (x = 0.000, 0.015, 0.030, 0.045, 0.060 and 0.075) nano-ferrites. Many analytical techniques were employed to evaluate the material's physicochemical characteristics, including P-XRD, EDX, FE-SEM, HR-TEM, FTIR, UV–vis, BET, VSM, EIS, and photocatalysis was carried out against the RhB. The impact of Yb3+ ion doping on the material's crystallite size and lattice parameter has been evaluated. It was found that all the samples' crystallite sizes increased between 33 and 41 nm. These magnetite nanoparticles have spherical forms and nanometric particle sizes, as revealed through field scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The FTIR spectra bands at ʋ1 (518–535) and (401–411) ʋ2 subsequently revealed the spinel structure of the synthesized nano-ferrites. The band gap in zinc manganese ferrite increases from 2.51 eV to 2.92 eV after adding ytterbium. The surface area of the Yb3+-doped Zn-Mg ferries ranges from 23.6 m2/g to 27.8 m2/g, making them an excellent choice for data storage. The investigation of magnetic behavior shows the superparamagnetic behavior of all the samples. The produced sample's determined squareness value indicates the magnetostatic interaction between the particles. Because of the low produced coercive field value, these materials can be used in ferrofluids and hyperthermia therapy applications. Furthermore, with a higher RhB removal of 93.80 %, the Yb3+-doped sample photocatalyst successfully separated carriers generated by sunlight. The Yb3+-doped sample (ZMY-5) photocatalyst showed outstanding stability after one cycle of the stability test, obtaining an outstanding RhB elimination of 93.80 %. Zn0.9Mg0.1Yb0.075Fe1.925O4 photocatalyst has substantial promise for large-scale pollutant treatment due to its simple synthesis method, superior magnetic characteristics, exceptional photocatalytic activity for RhB, and excellent stability.