Photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue using CoFe2O4/Ag2WO4: Efficiency in degradation of methylene blue dye removal and antimicrobial activity
Vishnu Kadabahalli Thammannagowda, Kariyappa Gowda Guddenahalli Shivanna, Ajeya Keresanthe Parameshwarappa, Udayabhanu, Parimala Hanumesh, Prashantha Kalappa
Abstract
In this research article, we have synthesized and used CoFe 2 O 4 /Ag 2 WO 4 photocatalyst to degrade methylene blue dye (MB). The simple combustion method was used to synthesize CoFe 2 O 4, and solution mixing was used to prepare CoFe 2 O 4 /Ag 2 WO 4 catalyst materials. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR), Ultraviolet visible diffuse reflectance spectra (UV-DRS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used for the structural and morphological characterization of the produced composite material. E. coli and S. aureus are two food pathogenic microorganisms examined concerning composite materials antibacterial properties. Following the incubation period, the composite material's antimicrobial activity exhibits a distinct zone of inhibition. When exposed to UV light, the produced composite shows great promise as a photocatalyst material. It can boost the percentage of MB dye degradation. In 2.5 h, the CoFe 2 O 4 /Ag 2 WO 4 composite material exhibits 60 % degradation of the methylene blue dye. A sample of 30 mg shows 84.7 % of degraded dye molecules within 150 min. By adjusting the catalyst dosage and pH, the photocatalytic activity of the composite material was investigated. It was discovered that pH-7 exhibits an 83.33 % dye degradation process. It has also been studied how composite materials affect dye degradation and how they speed up reaction rates. These findings demonstrated that the CoFe 2 O 4 /Ag 2 WO 4 composite is effective for breaking down harmful environmental contaminants.