Magnetically recyclable Ni1-xCdxCeyFe2-yO4-rGO nanocomposite photocatalyst for visible light driven photocatalysis

In this study, a magnetically recyclable Ni1-xCdxCeyFe2-yO4-rGO (x, y = 0.05) (NCCF-rGO) nanocomposite photocatalyst has been prepared by following a facile in-situ co-precipitation method combined with ultra-sonication means. The as-synthesized magnetically separable NCCF-rGO nanocomposite photocatalyst efficiently degrades methylene blue (MB) dye in comparison to bare Ni1-xCdxCeyFe2-yO4 (x, y = 0.05) (NCCF) nanoparticles (NPs) under visible light irradiation. The photo-degradation rate of MB with NCCF-rGO was ~9 times higher than NCCF nanoparticles (NPs). This enhanced photocatalytic performance of NCCF-rGO photocatalyst was due to the presence of reduced graphene oxide, which greatly help in production of photoactive species by reducing the rate of electro-hole pair recombination. The role of photoactive species that were responsible for the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue has also been investigated. The as-synthesized NCCF-rGO photocatalyst expressed superb chemical stability and photocatalytic activity even after seven cycle runs. Moreover, the NCCF-rGO nanocomposite worked at all pH values and showed good acid resistance. In particular, the as-synthesized NCCF-rGO photocatalyst could be collected for the next cycle run by simply applying an external magnetic field. Hence, the NCCF-rGO nanocomposite could have potential use in organic dyes contained wastewater treatment.