Unveiling the synthesis of magnetically separable magnetite nanoparticles anchored over reduced graphene oxide for enhanced visible-light-driven photocatalytic degradation of dyes

In recent years, wastewater contamination has had a particularly negative impact on both aquatic life and humans. Because of the presence of complex organic pollutants, managing wastewater has become an intimidating challenge for scientists. In this study, we constructed reduced graphene oxide-supported magnetite (Fe₃O₄/rGO-20) composites using a simple coprecipitation and ultrasonication technique and utilized it to effectively remove complicated organic contaminants. The photocatalytic effectiveness of the catalysts was tested for the abatement of bromophenol blue (BPB) when exposed to visible light. The experimental findings indicate that the use of a Fe₃O₄ and Fe₃O₄/rGO-10 catalyst resulted in a degradation rate of 58.74 % and 88.73 %, respectively, for the BPB dye under optimum reaction circumstances ([catalyst] = 0.60 g/L, [BPB] = 20 ppm, pH = 5, T = 35 °C). The degradation rate of the Fe₃O₄/rGO-20 catalyst, on the other hand, increased to 98.05 % within a span of 44 min at similar reaction conditions. In contrast, the rate constant demonstrated an increase ranging from 0.0191 to 0.0778 min⁻¹, thus providing confirmation of the Fe₃O₄/rGO-20 catalyst's photocatalytic efficacy. The increased efficiency of the Fe₃O₄/rGO-10 and Fe₃O₄/rGO-20 catalysts in terms of photocatalysis can be ascribed to their increased surface area of 63.54 m²/g and 69.84 m²/g, respectively, as compared to the pure Fe₃O₄ (51.46 m²/g), which are consequences of the incorporation of rGO into the atomic framework of Fe₃O₄. The impact of many different variables was also ascertained by altering the reaction circumstances. The emergence of reactive oxygen species was achieved through the utilization of different scavenging agents. The stability and recycling of the Fe₃O₄/rGO-20 catalyst have been tested by conducting five consecutive tests under predetermined reaction conditions. Eventually, this research will develop a catalyst that is both commercially viable and environmentally beneficial, allowing for the efficient degradation of BPB dye in the aquatic environment.