Gamal H. Sewify, Mohamed Mokhtar M. Mostafa, Mostafa S. Gouda, Reda. S. Salama, A. A. El-Hallag
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Global challenges in water pollution and sustainable energy demand innovative solutions. This study presents a novel nickel-decorated silver ferrite (Ni-AGF) nanocomposite synthesized via a sol-gel method. The composite's structural, morphological, and compositional features were analyzed using techniques including TEM, SEM, BET, FTIR, and UV-Vis spectroscopy. Structural and morphological analyses revealed uniform dispersion of Ni nanoparticles (~ 4.3 nm) on AgFeO2 (~ 23.2 nm) with increased surface area (110.7 m2/g) at 6 wt% Ni loading. SEM and EDX confirmed the presence of Ni, Ag, Fe, and O elements, and TEM images suggested uniform dispersion of Ni nanoparticles on the AgFeO2 surface. While, UV-VIS spectroscopy allowed calculation of the band gap energies, showing that the nickel nanoparticles influence the composite's optical properties. Photocatalytic experiments demonstrated that the 6 wt% Ni-AGF achieved a 97% degradation of Rhodamine B within 90 minutes and exhibited the highest first-order rate constant (0.0178 min−1). Under visible light, this composition also yielded the maximum hydrogen evolution rate of 0.475 mmol h−1 g−1 using ethylene glycol as a sacrificial agent. The catalyst retained 88.1% of its activity after five cycles, enabled by its magnetic recoverability. These findings highlight the potential of Ni-AGF as a cost-effective, dual-functional material for wastewater treatment and sustainable energy applications.
期刊介绍:
The journal publishes the following types of papers: (a) original and important research;
(b) authoritative comprehensive reviews or short overviews of topics of current
interest; (c) brief but urgent communications on new significant research; and (d)
commentaries intended to foster the exchange of innovative or provocative ideas, and
to encourage dialogue, amongst researchers working in different cluster
disciplines.