Search

Herein, the Co3O4/NiO nanocomposite has been synthesized as a catalyst for thermal degradation and photodegradation of the malachite green dye. Its morphology showed small spherical particles with an average particle size of 52.82 ± 17.73 nm. The XRD pattern and XPS analysis proved the formation of Co3O4/NiO nanocomposite with the growth of both Co3O4 and NiO at crystal contents proportions of 67.7 ± 17% and 32.3 ± 16%, respectively. The TGA results indicated that the Co3O4/NiO nanocomposite is nearly thermally stable up to 1000 °C. The synthesized Co3O4/NiO nanocomposite recorded an optical energy band gap of 4.27 eV and a surface area of 27.4933 m2/g. Besides, its photocatalytic activity was compared with the photolysis and thermocatalytic activity. The velocity constant (kapp) value for photocatalysis was higher than that for photolysis by ten folds. Besides, various effects like dye concentration, pH, catalyst amount, and different scavengers were also evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]