Synthesis of Cu0.5Zn0.5FeAlO4 nanoparticles using the sol-gel method and study of its photocatalytic activity

Spinel compounds have been extremely interesting subjects for many scientists owing to their unique characteristics and broad practical applications in various fields including magnetic drug delivery, ferrofluids, and degradation of organic pollutants [1,2]. Among them, spinel ferrite nanoparticles have been gained interest in their synthesis. The textile industry produces a huge amount of dye wastewater and it is essential that the dye effluents be treated prior to release into the water sources [3]. The first goal of this work is to synthesis Cu0.5Zn0.5FeAlO4 nanospinel using tragacanth gel by the means of sol-gel method which is less time consuming, simple, and eco-friendly. The obtained nanoparticles were then identified using different analytical techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). XRD results confirmed the spinel ferrite phase formation. Evaluation of photocatalytic activity of synthesized nanoparticles as a photocatalyst in dye degradation, direct blue 129 (DB129) under visible light irradiation is the second aim. In the next step, the effect of different factors including initial dye concentration, photocatalyst dosage, and irradiation time was examined. Based on the results, Cu0.5Zn0.5FeAlO4 nanoparticles possess degradation efficiency.