Synergistic design of CuO/CoFe₂O₄/MWCNTs ternary nanocomposite for enhanced photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline under visible light

Abstract This study involves a novel CuO/CoFe₂O₄/MWCNTs (CCT) nanocomposite, developed by integrating cobalt ferrite (CoFe₂O₄) and copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles onto multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), for the degradation of tetracycline (TC) under visible light. The photocatalyst was extensi...

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Main Authors: Davis Varghese, Niranjana S. R, Joselene Suzan Jennifer P, Muthupandi S, Madhavan J, Victor Antony Raj M
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-01-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-82926-2
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author Davis Varghese
Niranjana S. R
Joselene Suzan Jennifer P
Muthupandi S
Madhavan J
Victor Antony Raj M
author_facet Davis Varghese
Niranjana S. R
Joselene Suzan Jennifer P
Muthupandi S
Madhavan J
Victor Antony Raj M
author_sort Davis Varghese
collection DOAJ
description Abstract This study involves a novel CuO/CoFe₂O₄/MWCNTs (CCT) nanocomposite, developed by integrating cobalt ferrite (CoFe₂O₄) and copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles onto multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), for the degradation of tetracycline (TC) under visible light. The photocatalyst was extensively characterized using XRD, HR-SEM, EDX, HR-TEM, UV-Vis, BET, and PL analysis. The synthesized CoFe₂O₄ and CuO nanoparticles exhibited crystallite sizes of 46.8 nm and 37.5 nm, respectively, while the CCT nanocomposite had a crystallite size of 53 nm. Microscopy confirmed a particle size of 49.2 nm for the nanocomposite, with MWCNTs measuring 15.65 nm in diameter. The band gap energy of the CCT nanocomposite was 1.6 eV, which contributed to its enhanced photocatalytic activity, as evidenced by the lower emission intensity in PL analysis. BET analysis revealed a pore volume of 0.37 cc/g and a surface area of 82.3 m²/g. Photocatalytic performance was tested across various conditions, with adjustments to nanocomposite dosages (0.1–0.5 g/L), TC concentrations (5–25 mg/L), and pH levels (2–10). Under optimized conditions (0.3 g/L CCT, 5 mg/L TC, pH 10, 120 min of visible light exposure), the CCT achieved 98.1% degradation of TC. The optimized parameters were subsequently used to assess TC degradation with individual photocatalysts: CoFe₂O₄, CuO, CT, and CCT. The enhanced photocatalytic efficiency observed can be largely attributed to the improved charge transfer dynamics and effective electron-hole separation facilitated by MWCNT doping. The reaction followed a pseudo-first-order kinetic model, with hydroxyl radicals (OH•) identified as the key species in the degradation process. Moreover, the catalyst exhibited 96% retention of its photocatalytic efficiency after five consecutive cycles, demonstrating exceptional stability and reusability. These results emphasize the CCT composite’s potential as a highly efficient and sustainable photocatalyst for the remediation of pharmaceutical pollutants in aquatic systems.
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spelling doaj-art-fb005912d70c4940b27fc6e50a02d3bf2025-01-05T12:19:53ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-01-0115112310.1038/s41598-024-82926-2Synergistic design of CuO/CoFe₂O₄/MWCNTs ternary nanocomposite for enhanced photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline under visible lightDavis Varghese0Niranjana S. R1Joselene Suzan Jennifer P2Muthupandi S3Madhavan J4Victor Antony Raj M5Department of Physics, Loyola College, Affiliated to the University of MadrasDepartment of Physics, Panimalar Engineering CollegeDepartment of Physics, Loyola College, Affiliated to the University of MadrasCenter for Global Health Research, Saveetha Medical College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS)Department of Physics, Loyola College, Affiliated to the University of MadrasDepartment of Physics, Loyola College, Affiliated to the University of MadrasAbstract This study involves a novel CuO/CoFe₂O₄/MWCNTs (CCT) nanocomposite, developed by integrating cobalt ferrite (CoFe₂O₄) and copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles onto multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), for the degradation of tetracycline (TC) under visible light. The photocatalyst was extensively characterized using XRD, HR-SEM, EDX, HR-TEM, UV-Vis, BET, and PL analysis. The synthesized CoFe₂O₄ and CuO nanoparticles exhibited crystallite sizes of 46.8 nm and 37.5 nm, respectively, while the CCT nanocomposite had a crystallite size of 53 nm. Microscopy confirmed a particle size of 49.2 nm for the nanocomposite, with MWCNTs measuring 15.65 nm in diameter. The band gap energy of the CCT nanocomposite was 1.6 eV, which contributed to its enhanced photocatalytic activity, as evidenced by the lower emission intensity in PL analysis. BET analysis revealed a pore volume of 0.37 cc/g and a surface area of 82.3 m²/g. Photocatalytic performance was tested across various conditions, with adjustments to nanocomposite dosages (0.1–0.5 g/L), TC concentrations (5–25 mg/L), and pH levels (2–10). Under optimized conditions (0.3 g/L CCT, 5 mg/L TC, pH 10, 120 min of visible light exposure), the CCT achieved 98.1% degradation of TC. The optimized parameters were subsequently used to assess TC degradation with individual photocatalysts: CoFe₂O₄, CuO, CT, and CCT. The enhanced photocatalytic efficiency observed can be largely attributed to the improved charge transfer dynamics and effective electron-hole separation facilitated by MWCNT doping. The reaction followed a pseudo-first-order kinetic model, with hydroxyl radicals (OH•) identified as the key species in the degradation process. Moreover, the catalyst exhibited 96% retention of its photocatalytic efficiency after five consecutive cycles, demonstrating exceptional stability and reusability. These results emphasize the CCT composite’s potential as a highly efficient and sustainable photocatalyst for the remediation of pharmaceutical pollutants in aquatic systems.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-82926-2PhotocatalysisCuO/CoFe2O4/MWCNTsVisible lightTetracyclineDegradation kinetics
spellingShingle Davis Varghese
Niranjana S. R
Joselene Suzan Jennifer P
Muthupandi S
Madhavan J
Victor Antony Raj M
Synergistic design of CuO/CoFe₂O₄/MWCNTs ternary nanocomposite for enhanced photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline under visible light
Scientific Reports
Photocatalysis
CuO/CoFe2O4/MWCNTs
Visible light
Tetracycline
Degradation kinetics
title Synergistic design of CuO/CoFe₂O₄/MWCNTs ternary nanocomposite for enhanced photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline under visible light
title_full Synergistic design of CuO/CoFe₂O₄/MWCNTs ternary nanocomposite for enhanced photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline under visible light
title_fullStr Synergistic design of CuO/CoFe₂O₄/MWCNTs ternary nanocomposite for enhanced photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline under visible light
title_full_unstemmed Synergistic design of CuO/CoFe₂O₄/MWCNTs ternary nanocomposite for enhanced photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline under visible light
title_short Synergistic design of CuO/CoFe₂O₄/MWCNTs ternary nanocomposite for enhanced photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline under visible light
title_sort synergistic design of cuo cofe₂o₄ mwcnts ternary nanocomposite for enhanced photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline under visible light
topic Photocatalysis
CuO/CoFe2O4/MWCNTs
Visible light
Tetracycline
Degradation kinetics
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-82926-2
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