Magnetic recoverable Cu/CuFe2O4 nanocomposite as an efficient catalyst for 4-nitrophenol reduction and methylene blue degradation

In this study, the magnetic Cu/CuFe2O4 nanocomposite was successfully prepared by a one-pot solvothermal method and evaluated for catalytic activity in 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) reduction reaction methylene blue (MB) degradation reaction. The structure, surface morphology, properties of catalyst were characterized using several physicochemical methods such as Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), UV-Vis diffuse reflectance (DRS), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), EDX mapping, vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). is spherical shape with an average diameter about 145 nm BET area (SBET) 52 m2.g-1. both 4-NP MB reactions, material showed high activity. yield presence NaBH4 82% after 5 minutes. reaction, Cu metal plays role direct transfer from BH4- ions to participates promotes process between Cu+-Cu2+ Fe2+-Fe3+ ion pairs CuFe2O4. For under stimulation UVA radiation oxalic acid (H2C2O4) free radical-generating agent, 98% 40 process, donor reduce Fe3+ Fe2+ CuFe2O4 contributing promoting formation highly active radicals decompose MB. efficiency, crystal morphology stable over five consecutive uses two reactions.