Copper substituted spinel Co–Cr spinel Ferrites@Graphitic carbon nitride nanocomposite as a visible light active photocatalytic material.

In the present study, with the aid of the ultrasonication route the copper-doped cobalt chromium ferrite with graphitic carbon nitride (CoCrCuFe 2 O 4 @gCN, CCrCuFO@gCN) was prepared whereas the cobalt-chromium ferrite (CoCrFe 2 O 4 , CCrFO) and copper doped cobalt chromium ferrite (CoCrCuFe 2 O 4 , CCrCuFO) were synthesized via sol-gel approach. The gCN has a vast surface area, better stability, and a higher capability for the transfer of electrons during photocatalysis. Prepared products were characterized by several standard techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and UV–Vis spectroscopy measurements (UV–Vis). The crystallite size of CCrFO and CCrCuFO were 16.3 nm and 15.8 nm respectively calculated by Debye Scherer formula. Under sunlight, Crystal violet, Congo red, Methyl orange, Methyl blue, and Benzoic acid were degraded. Under the same conditions, the CoCrCuFe 2 O 4 @gCN exhibited 90.2 % degradation of Crystal violet, 90.1 % of Congo red, 92.2 % of Methyl orange, 91.1 % of Methyl blue, and 57.9 % of Benzoic acid. During the photo-degradation of pollutants, photoactive species like hydroxyl radicals, holes, and electrons were found to be the major contributors. The CCrCuFO@gCN composite showed higher photocatalytic degradation activity than pristine and doped materials due to its enhanced surface area. As the surface area of nanocatalysts increased, the recombining rate of electron/hole pair reduced, and hence the photocatalytic efficiency was boosted. The remarkable removal efficacy of CCrCuFO@gCN nanocomposite can be attributed to its large/massive surface area, 2D structure, and enhanced capacity to transport electrons of graphitic carbon nitride. For an efficient application in wastewater treatment, this work aims to encompass the new progress and new research directions of CCrCuFO@gCN under sunlight. • Simple facile route was adopted to prepare CoCrCuFe 2 O 4 @g-C 3 N 4 , a new photocatalyst. • Photodegradation of numerous organic effluents by CoCrCuFe 2 O 4 @g-C 3 N 4 was studied. • Mechanistic investigation of degradation has also been discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]