Copper and cerium co-doped cobalt ferrite nanoparticles: structural, morphological, optical, magnetic, and photocatalytic properties

A rapid synthetic technique is investigated for magnetic nanoparticles (Co_1−yCu_yFe_2−xCe_xO₄ (x = 0, y = 0), (x = 0.05, y = 0), (x = 0, y = 0.5), and (x = 0.05, y = 0.5)). The structure, morphology, optical and magnetic performance of prepared nanoparticles are analyzed by powder XRD, XPS, FT-IR, SEM-EDAX, TEM, DRS, and VSM. The photocatalytic activity of the synthesized nanoparticles for the removal of the Congo red (CR) dye and bisphenol A (BPA) from aqueous solution is examined by UV–visible spectrometer. Research indicates that the co-doping of Cu²⁺ and Ce³⁺ showed marked effect on the structural, optical, magnetic, and photocatalytic properties of the CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles. DRS showed that the Co_0.5Cu_0.5Fe_1.95Ce_0.05O₄ nanoparticles have lower band gap energy (0.78 eV) than other synthesized compounds. High removal percentage of CR and BPA (99.09% and 99.33%) was observed within 30 min and 180 min under visible and UV–light illumination respectively using Co_0.5Cu_0.5Fe_1.95Ce_0.05O₄. The corresponding photocatalytic degradation kinetics and mechanism are analyzed.