Synthesis of recoverable Fe3O4-Cu@OPO(OH)2 nanocomposite as photocatalyst for methylene blue decolorization

Abstract

In this report, magnetically separable Fe₃O₄-Cu@OPO(OH)₂ composites were synthesized by green route utilizing Juglans regia L. leaves extract. This synthetic method is non-toxic and safe for the environment. Phenolic compounds present in the extract are responsible for the diminution of copper(II) ions to nano-Cu particles. The innovation of the work is that with the help of the Juglans regia L. leaves extract, a nanocomposite containing copper nanoparticles is created, which is a good conductor for electron transfer in the photocatalytic process. The crystalline phase of Fe₃O₄-Cu@OP(OH)₂ NCs was recognized with the use of XRD patterns. The results of the FT-IR technique confirm the Fe–O bond in the composites and the existence of phenolic compounds in the extract. The morphology of the product was identified by the FE-SEM apparatus. The prepared composites contain elements of copper, iron, oxygen, and phosphorus, and the EDX technique proves the presence of these elements in them. The VSM diagram showed that Fe₃O₄-Cu@OP(OH)₂ is magnetic. The photocatalytic performance of composites synthesized by an environmentally friendly method was investigated in the decolorization of azo dyes such as methylene blue. The kinetics of photocatalytic performance of Fe₃O₄-Cu@OPO(OH)₂ nanocomposites (NCs) against methylene blue was studied using UV–visible spectroscopy. In the absence of this nanocomposite, no measurable reaction could take place. After 4 h of irradiation, it was discovered that a significant proportion of MB was destroyed. The photocatalytic activity performance of Fe₃O₄-Cu@OPO(OH)₂ is 95.0%. Furthermore, the inclusion of copper nanoparticles on the magnetic iron oxide substrate causes the easy recycling of the composite in the suspension solution related to its photocatalytic process.