Sol–gel auto-combustion synthesis of a novel ternary magnetic-recyclable ZnFe2O4/ZnO/CeO2 nano-photocatalyst for highly efficient visible-light-induced degradation of organic contaminants
Abstract The creation and design of highly efficient photocatalysts responsive to visible light are critically required to address pressing environmental challenges. The present work focuses on the design and controlled synthesis of a novel magnetically separable ternary nano-photocatalyst comprisin...
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2025-07-01
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| Series: | Applied Water Science |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-025-02549-4 |
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| author | Saba Roostaei Hanieh Ansarinejad Elmuez A. Dawi Forat H. Alsultany Salman Khalaf Issa Mina Ahmadi-Kashani Masoud Salavati-Niasari |
| author_facet | Saba Roostaei Hanieh Ansarinejad Elmuez A. Dawi Forat H. Alsultany Salman Khalaf Issa Mina Ahmadi-Kashani Masoud Salavati-Niasari |
| author_sort | Saba Roostaei |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract The creation and design of highly efficient photocatalysts responsive to visible light are critically required to address pressing environmental challenges. The present work focuses on the design and controlled synthesis of a novel magnetically separable ternary nano-photocatalyst comprising ZnFe2O4, ZnO, and CeO2 through a facile one-step sol–gel auto-combustion method. This ternary photocatalyst integrates the magnetic characteristics of ZnFe2O4, the durability and catalytic efficiency of ZnO, along with the oxygen storage capabilities and photocatalytic features of CeO2. Besides, the sol–gel auto-combustion process serves as a self-sustaining technique for generating heat through its exothermic reactions, providing several advantageous characteristics such as uniformity, reduced particle size, improved distribution, and controlled morphology. The effects of different fuel agents on the phase purity and crystallite dimensions of ZnFe2O4/ZnO/CeO2 were assessed. According to the FESEM images, the sample synthesized using oxalic acid as fuel revealed a porous structure with a particle size distribution near 18.97 nm, making it an outstanding choice for photocatalytic performance. The study revealed that the ZnFe2O4/ZnO/CeO2 photocatalysts exhibited exceptional catalytic performance under neutral conditions, providing a significant advantage in photocatalytic activity. The photoactive properties of the ternary nanocomposite were tested by measuring the degradation of Erythrosine (ER) and Methyl Violet (MV) under visible light conditions. The findings revealed that the anionic dye is broken down significantly more effectively than the cationic dye. The photocatalyst exhibited impressive photocatalytic capabilities, achieving a degradation efficiency of 92.33% for ER. The combination of ZnFe2O4, ZnO, and CeO2 enhances photocatalytic performance because of their synergistic features, substantial surface area, increased active sites, optimized charge dynamics, and potential for reuse. Notably, scavenger analysis revealed that hydroxyl radicals were significantly present in the ZnFe2O4/ZnO/CeO2 sample when exposed to visible light, functioning as the main oxygen-derived radicals in breaking down pollutants through photocatalysis. Furthermore, insights into the photocatalytic reaction mechanism and the •OH generation process on the ternary photocatalyst were provided. The study comprehensively examined reaction kinetics, the durability of catalysts, and the impact of different variables like initial concentration of the dye solution and photocatalyst dosage during photocatalytic activity. Research results suggest that the pseudo-first-order kinetic model best describes the adsorption behavior of dyes on photocatalysts. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-5f6d16b95be64ed0a10fa9133cc448f8 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2190-5487 2190-5495 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | SpringerOpen |
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| series | Applied Water Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-5f6d16b95be64ed0a10fa9133cc448f82025-08-20T04:01:35ZengSpringerOpenApplied Water Science2190-54872190-54952025-07-0115811910.1007/s13201-025-02549-4Sol–gel auto-combustion synthesis of a novel ternary magnetic-recyclable ZnFe2O4/ZnO/CeO2 nano-photocatalyst for highly efficient visible-light-induced degradation of organic contaminantsSaba Roostaei0Hanieh Ansarinejad1Elmuez A. Dawi2Forat H. Alsultany3Salman Khalaf Issa4Mina Ahmadi-Kashani5Masoud Salavati-Niasari6Institute of Nano Science and Nano Technology, University of KashanInstitute of Nano Science and Nano Technology, University of KashanCollege of Humanities and Sciences, Department of Mathematics and Sciences, Ajman UniversityDepartment of Medical Physics, College of Sciences, Al-Mustaqbal UniversityDepartment of Medical Laboratories Technology, Al-Nisour University College, Nisour Seq. KarkhInstitute of Nano Science and Nano Technology, University of KashanInstitute of Nano Science and Nano Technology, University of KashanAbstract The creation and design of highly efficient photocatalysts responsive to visible light are critically required to address pressing environmental challenges. The present work focuses on the design and controlled synthesis of a novel magnetically separable ternary nano-photocatalyst comprising ZnFe2O4, ZnO, and CeO2 through a facile one-step sol–gel auto-combustion method. This ternary photocatalyst integrates the magnetic characteristics of ZnFe2O4, the durability and catalytic efficiency of ZnO, along with the oxygen storage capabilities and photocatalytic features of CeO2. Besides, the sol–gel auto-combustion process serves as a self-sustaining technique for generating heat through its exothermic reactions, providing several advantageous characteristics such as uniformity, reduced particle size, improved distribution, and controlled morphology. The effects of different fuel agents on the phase purity and crystallite dimensions of ZnFe2O4/ZnO/CeO2 were assessed. According to the FESEM images, the sample synthesized using oxalic acid as fuel revealed a porous structure with a particle size distribution near 18.97 nm, making it an outstanding choice for photocatalytic performance. The study revealed that the ZnFe2O4/ZnO/CeO2 photocatalysts exhibited exceptional catalytic performance under neutral conditions, providing a significant advantage in photocatalytic activity. The photoactive properties of the ternary nanocomposite were tested by measuring the degradation of Erythrosine (ER) and Methyl Violet (MV) under visible light conditions. The findings revealed that the anionic dye is broken down significantly more effectively than the cationic dye. The photocatalyst exhibited impressive photocatalytic capabilities, achieving a degradation efficiency of 92.33% for ER. The combination of ZnFe2O4, ZnO, and CeO2 enhances photocatalytic performance because of their synergistic features, substantial surface area, increased active sites, optimized charge dynamics, and potential for reuse. Notably, scavenger analysis revealed that hydroxyl radicals were significantly present in the ZnFe2O4/ZnO/CeO2 sample when exposed to visible light, functioning as the main oxygen-derived radicals in breaking down pollutants through photocatalysis. Furthermore, insights into the photocatalytic reaction mechanism and the •OH generation process on the ternary photocatalyst were provided. The study comprehensively examined reaction kinetics, the durability of catalysts, and the impact of different variables like initial concentration of the dye solution and photocatalyst dosage during photocatalytic activity. Research results suggest that the pseudo-first-order kinetic model best describes the adsorption behavior of dyes on photocatalysts.https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-025-02549-4ZnFe2O4/ZnO/CeO2 NanocompositesNanostructuresTernary Nano-Photocatalysts, Organic PollutantsScavengerWastewater |
| spellingShingle | Saba Roostaei Hanieh Ansarinejad Elmuez A. Dawi Forat H. Alsultany Salman Khalaf Issa Mina Ahmadi-Kashani Masoud Salavati-Niasari Sol–gel auto-combustion synthesis of a novel ternary magnetic-recyclable ZnFe2O4/ZnO/CeO2 nano-photocatalyst for highly efficient visible-light-induced degradation of organic contaminants Applied Water Science ZnFe2O4/ZnO/CeO2 Nanocomposites Nanostructures Ternary Nano-Photocatalysts, Organic Pollutants Scavenger Wastewater |
| title | Sol–gel auto-combustion synthesis of a novel ternary magnetic-recyclable ZnFe2O4/ZnO/CeO2 nano-photocatalyst for highly efficient visible-light-induced degradation of organic contaminants |
| title_full | Sol–gel auto-combustion synthesis of a novel ternary magnetic-recyclable ZnFe2O4/ZnO/CeO2 nano-photocatalyst for highly efficient visible-light-induced degradation of organic contaminants |
| title_fullStr | Sol–gel auto-combustion synthesis of a novel ternary magnetic-recyclable ZnFe2O4/ZnO/CeO2 nano-photocatalyst for highly efficient visible-light-induced degradation of organic contaminants |
| title_full_unstemmed | Sol–gel auto-combustion synthesis of a novel ternary magnetic-recyclable ZnFe2O4/ZnO/CeO2 nano-photocatalyst for highly efficient visible-light-induced degradation of organic contaminants |
| title_short | Sol–gel auto-combustion synthesis of a novel ternary magnetic-recyclable ZnFe2O4/ZnO/CeO2 nano-photocatalyst for highly efficient visible-light-induced degradation of organic contaminants |
| title_sort | sol gel auto combustion synthesis of a novel ternary magnetic recyclable znfe2o4 zno ceo2 nano photocatalyst for highly efficient visible light induced degradation of organic contaminants |
| topic | ZnFe2O4/ZnO/CeO2 Nanocomposites Nanostructures Ternary Nano-Photocatalysts, Organic Pollutants Scavenger Wastewater |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-025-02549-4 |
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