Influence of Cu–Mg substituted ZnFe2O4 ferrite as a highly efficient nanocatalyst for dye degradation and 4-nitrophenol reduction

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate that the Cu–Mg substituted zinc ferrite effect can be employed for photocatalytic dye degradation and the catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol. Methylene blue (MB) dye was completely degraded and harmful 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) completely transformed into useful 4-aminophenol using the as-synthesized Zn1-xCu0.5xMg0.5xFe2O4 ferrite samples. Phase identification of the as-synthesized ferrites was accomplished using X-ray diffraction (XRD). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirmed the elemental composition of the Zn1-xCu0.5xMg0.5xFe2O4 ferrite samples. The surface morphology and microstructural investigation of the Zn1-xCu0.5xMg0.5xFe2O4 ferrite samples were performed using SEM and TEM. The energy band gap of the Zn1-xCu0.5xMg0.5xFe2O4 ferrite samples can be tuned in the range of 1.76–1.56 eV by varying the dopant concentration. After modification by Cu–Mg, the undoped zinc ferrite and additive modified photocatalyst effectively and completely eliminated MB and 4-NP. Photocatalytic activity measurements indicate that the unique Zn1-xCu0.5xMg0.5xFe2O4 ferrite samples are highly active environmental remediation catalysts. This photocatalytic approach produces repeatable results for dye degradation and 4-NP reduction. The photocatalytic mechanism for MB degradation was also demonstrated in the presence of Zn1-xCu0.5xMg0.5xFe2O4 ferrite. •The sol-gel auto combustion method was used to fabricate copper and magnesium substituted zinc ferrites.•The synthesis of Zn1-xCu0.5xMg0.5xFe2O4 was confirmed using XRD, SEM, TEM, FTIR, XPS, and UV.•The formation of electron-hole pairs in the ferrite plays a function under light conditions.•Catalyst efficiency is maintained even after several cycles.•Zn1-xCu0.5xMg0.5xFe2O4 ferrites showed remarkable photocatalytic activity against methylene blue and nitrophenol.