Magnetically separable rare earth metal incorporated CdFe2O4 photocatalyst for degradation of cationic and azo dyes

Abstract

Herein, the present study illustrates hydrothermal synthesis of pristine and Gd doped CdFe2O4 nanoparticles. The synthesized nanoparticles were analysed by various analytical methods to investigate the structural, vibrational, optical and morphological information about the photocatalysts. The surface area of the 2 % Gd-CdFe2O4was achieved to have greater value. The pristine and Gd (1 % and 2 %) – CdFe2O4 was investigated for its photocatalytic activity on reducing cationic and azo dyes. The photocatalyst showed efficiency of 90 % and 98 % for both cationic and azo dyes. The greater rate constant values of the photocatalysts revealed the better activity of hydroxyl radicals which took part majorly in photocatalysis. The stability of the sample was analysed and the stableness was same for about four cycles. The greater efficiency and better stability were attributed to the optimum dopant level of Gd ions into CdFe2O4 photocatalyst. The better recombination rate and hydroxyl radicals activity made the enthusiastic candidate for water remediation process.