Green synthesis of nickel-doped magnesium ferrite nanoparticles via combustion for facile microwave-assisted optical and photocatalytic applications

• Published in: Environmental research 2023-10, Vol.235, p.116598, Article 116598
• Main Authors: G, Vishnu, Singh, Simranjeet, Kaul, Noyonika, Ramamurthy, Praveen C., Naik, TSSK, Viswanath, R., Kumar, Vijay, Bhojya Naik, H.S., A, Prathap, H A, Anil Kumara, Singh, Joginder, Khan, Nadeem A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Green synthesis; Nanoparticles; Optical properties; Photodegradation
• ISSN: 0013-9351; 1096-0953; 1096-0953
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116598

NixMg1-xFe2O4(x = 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6) nanoparticles were symphonized via combustion with microwave assistance in the presence of Tamarindus indica seeds extract as fuel. Nanoparticles nature, size, morphology, oxidation state, elemental composition, and optical and luminescence properties were analysed using PXRD, FTIR, SEM, EDX, and HRTEM with SAED, XPS, UV–Visible and photoluminescence spectroscopy. PXRD analysis confirms that synthesized nanoparticles are spinel cubic and have a 17–18 nm average crystalline size. Tetrahedral and octahedral sites regarding stretching vibrations were confirmed by FTIR analysis. SEM and HRTEM data it is disclosed that the morphology of synthesized nanoparticles has nano flakes-like structure with sponge-like agglomeration. Elemental compositions of prepared nanoparticles were confirmed through EDX spectroscopy. XPS Spectroscopy confirmed and revealed transition, oxidation states, and elemental composition. The band gap and absorption phenomenon were disclosed using UV–visible spectroscopy, where the band gap declines (2.1, 2, 1.6, 1.8 eV), with increase in nickel NixMg1-xFe2O4(x = 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6) doping. Photoluminescence intensity reduces with an incline in nickel doping, was confirmed and disclosed using photoluminescence spectroscopy. Dyes (Methylene blue and Rhodamine B) degradation activity was performed in the presence of NDMF nanoparticles as a photocatalyst, which disclosed that 98.1% of MB dye and 97.9% of RB dye were degraded in 0–120 min. Regarding initial dye concentration and catalyst load, 5 ppm was initiated as the ideal initial concentration for both RB and MB dyes. 50 mg catalyst dosage was found to be most effective for the degradation of MB and RB dyes. In comparison, pH studies revealed that photodegradation efficiency was higher in neutral (MB-98.1%, RB-97.9%) and basic (MB-99.6%, RB-99.3%) conditions than in acidic (MB-61.8%, RB-60.4%) conditions. •Nickel doped magnesium ferrite nanoparticles were symphonized by Tamarindus indica.•Nanoparticles were spinel cubic with average crystalline size was found to be 18-17 nm.•Prepared nanoparticles showed good absorption and photoluminescence properties.•Methylene blue dye degradation was 98.1%, with nickel doped magnesium ferrite as photocatalyst.•Nanoparticles as photocatalyst, Rhodamine B dye degradation percentage was found to be 97.9%.