Magnetic and visible light-induced novel green synthesized magnetic Co3O4 photocatalysts via sunflower seed meal extract for anionic and cationic dye removal by adsorption assisted photocatalytic degradation.

Abstract

This study was aimed at the preparation of m-Co₃O₄ NPs (magnetic Co₃O₄ nanoparticles) from sunflower seed meal (SFSM) which is the waste of sunflower seed oil factories, and their application as a photocatalyst for the adsorption assistant photocatalysis degradation of methylene blue (MB), and direct yellow-50 (DY-50) under the visible irradiations. Also, the photocatalytic performance of m-Co₃O₄ NPs was evaluated in synthetic wastewater. The produced m-Co₃O₄ NPs were ferromagnetic with a saturation magnetization value of 4.3 emu g^-1 and the degradation of cationic MB and anionic DY-50 dyes by 100% and 93% in 20 min and 35 min, respectively, by adsorption-assisted photocatalytic process under visible light was achieved. The reactions were found to be pseudo-second-order equation for the adsorption-assisted photocatalytic process for both dyes. The photocatalytic activity of m-Co₃O₄ NPs decreased slightly even after five repeated cycles. These results show that the m-Co₃O₄ NPs can be used successfully in dye treatment in wastewater with their adsorption-assisted photocatalytic properties, activation by visible light, magnetic separability, and low-cost production.