MgFe2O4/CNTs nanocomposite: synthesis, characterization, and photocatalytic activity

Magnesium ferrite is a visible light absorber, and when combined with multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), it can lead to low electron–hole recombination rates, thus improving its photocatalytic activity. In this work, a novel MgFe 2 O 4 /CNTs nanocomposite catalyst has been synthesized via anchoring MgFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles onto MWCNTs surface by a sol–gel and microwave-assisted route. The prepared catalyst was characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis and vibrating scanning magnetometry. MgFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles showed a cubic inverse spinel ferrite structure, while MgFe 2 O 4 /CNTs nanohybrids showed combinations of both structures. Morphology studies including Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis confirmed a 40 m 2 g −1 specific surface area with narrow mesoporous size distribution for the MgFe 2 O 4 /CNTs nanocomposite. The photocatalytic performance of the new catalyst was assessed by photodegradation of methylene blue (MB). The experimental results demonstrated that MgFe 2 O 4 /CNTs exhibited strong photocatalytic activity, catalysing the photooxidation of about 98% of MB in 25 min under sunlight.