Exploring CoFe₂O₄/TiO₂ NCs for High-Efficiency UV-Driven Organic Dye Degradation

Abstract

CoFe₂O₄, TiO₂ Nanoparticles (NPs), and CoFe₂O₄/TiO₂ nanocomposites (NCs) were successfully synthesized and evaluated for their photocatalytic efficiency in the degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye under irradiation of Ultraviolet light. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the spinel structure of CoFe₂O₄ and the anatase phase of TiO₂. The CoFe₂O₄/TiO₂ composite exhibited the existence of both CoFe₂O₄ and TiO₂ phases without any additional peaks, indicating a successful integration of the two materials. According to morphological study, spherical NPs had an average particle size of approximately 50 nm for CoFe₂O₄, TiO₂, and the CoFe₂O₄/TiO₂ composite. Spectra of UV-Vis absorption of the CoFe₂O₄/TiO₂ nanocomposite displayed a notable redshift compared to pure TiO₂ and CoFe₂O₄ NPs. Photocatalytic degradation tests conducted over 120 minutes beneath UV light demonstrated that the CoFe₂O₄/TiO₂ composite exhibited significantly increased the activity of photocatalysis compared to CoFe₂O₄ and TiO2. Additionally, the CoFe₂O₄/TiO₂ nanocomposite showed excellent stability and reusability, retaining a efficiency of deterioration of of 96.96% after five cycles.