CuFe2O4/activated carbon nanocomposite for efficient photocatalytic degradation of dye: Green synthesis approaches using the waste of oil palm empty bunches and bio-capping agent

Abstract

The CuFe2O4/activated carbon (CuFe/AC) composite was synthesized using green betle leaf extract as a biocapping agent and the AC achievable from oil palm empty bunches of waste. XRD confirms the presence of each phase and the spherical-shaped nanoparticles were observed with TEM. The IR spectra confirms the vibration modes of Fe–O, Cu–O, and the AC in the composite. The 0.2CuFe/0.8AC composite with a bandgap of 2.19 eV and soft-ferromagnetic properties exhibited high photocatalytic activity in degrading rhodamine B up to 92.10% under 2 h of sunlight irradiation. The 0.2CuFe/0.8AC composite is reusable by maintaining its high percentage of dye degradation.

Keywords

• CuFe2O4/Activated carbon
• Oil palm empty fruit bunches
• Hydrothermal
• Soft-ferromagnetic
• Rhodamine B