Porous network ZrO2/ZnFe2O4 nanocomposite with heterojunction towards industrial water purification under sunlight: Enhanced charge separation and elucidation of photo-mechanism

Abstract This work majorly aims to synthesize and also investigate the structural, optical, magnetic and optical features of ZrO2/ZnFe2O4 nanocomposite. Here, different ratios of novel hetero-junction ZrO2/ZnFe2O4 were synthesized by simple and fast solution combustion route. The X-ray diffraction results showed the formation of ZrO2 and ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles and ZrO2/ZnFe2O4 nanocomposites without any impurity. The formation of hetero-junction effectively inhibits the photo-generated charge carrier recombination. The degradation of Indigo Carmine dye by ZrO2/ZnFe2O4 photocatalyst was achieved through synergistic effects with 98% degradation and removal of 77% COD from the industrial dye waste water under Sunlight irradiation. Mixing of ferrites with zirconia greatly improves the photocatalytic activity that has been clearly proposed with the help of mechanism. ZZFO 12 NC exhibits better photocatalytic activity due to the combined facets of photo and Fenton activity. The exposure and enhancement of fingerprints in various surfaces are achieved by a modest, extremely sensitive and eco-friendly method. ZZFO12 NC offer great potential as an active photocatalyst for degradation of 54% of organic pollutant present in industrial waste water under natural Sunlight.