Efficient CuO/AgFe2O4/CeO2
ternary nanocomposites for photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue dye under
solar light irradiation
Mahendran Ananthkumar, Pachaimuthu Akilan, Alagesan Kannan and Venkatachalam Chandrasekaran
Res. J. Chem. Environ.; Vol. 29(11); 92-103;
doi: https://doi.org/10.25303/2911rjce0920103; (2025)
Abstract
The creation of a ternary nanocomposite has led to significant improvements in optoelectronic
characteristics. In this study, individual and combined nanostructures CeO₂, AgFe₂O₄,
CuO, AgFe₂O₄/CeO₂, CuO/CeO₂ and CuO/AgFe₂O₄/CeO₂ were synthesized through a sol-gel
method coupled with dispersion in a polar solvent. Their structural, morphological
and optical behaviors were thoroughly examined using techniques including X-ray
diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV-visible spectroscopy and
Photoluminescence (PL) analysis. The integration of CeO₂, AgFe₂O₄ and CuO in the
ternary nanocomposite resulted in a notable reduction of the band gap, enhancing
its photocatalytic potential. CeO₂ contributed to improved light harvesting, while
CuO functioned as an electron sink, collectively boosting the composite’s optical
performance.
Furthermore, the formation of heterojunction interfaces among CuO, AgFe₂O₄ and CeO₂
promoted efficient separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs, thus enhancing
the catalytic activity of the composite in light-driven reactions. Among the tested
samples, the CuO/AgFe₂O₄/CeO₂ ternary nanocomposite demonstrated superior photocatalytic
efficiency, achieving up to 98% degradation of methylene blue dye within 70 minutes.
