Synthesis and characterization of mixed Cu2+/Zn2+ ferrites for visible-light photodegradation of organic pollutants
Por:
Castro-Canseco F., Zamora-Valencia C.A., Ramírez-Ayala M.F., Camacho-González M.A.
Publicada:
1 ene 2026
Resumen:
© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to The Materials Research Society 2025.Mixed Cu2+/Zn2+ ferrite particles (Zn0.25Cu0.75Fe2O4) were synthesized through hydrothermal treatment at 170 °C for 15 h under alkaline conditions and systematically characterized for their structural and optical properties. FTIR confirmed Fe–O, Cu–O, and Zn–O bonds, while XRD showed a cubic spinel structure with Cu2+ and Zn2+ occupying octahedral and tetrahedral sites, respectively. SEM analysis revealed agglomerates averaging 4 ± 2.5 µm, and UV–Vis spectroscopy indicated broad UV–visible absorption with indirect and direct bandgaps of 1.2, 2.6, and 3.2 eV, corresponding to photoactivity up to 476, and 387 nm. Under visible-light irradiation, the ferrites exhibited photo-Fenton activity, facilitating the transformation of organic model compounds into simpler carboxyl and aromatic species in the case of naproxen, and showed effective degradation of methylene blue (88% in 20 h) and initial degradation of diclofenac (21% in 6 h). These findings highlight Cu/Zn ferrites as low-cost, efficient, and versatile photocatalysts for advanced oxidation processes and wastewater treatment under visible-light conditions.
Filiaciones:
Castro-Canseco F.:
División de Procesos Industriales, Academia de Nanotecnología, Universidad Tecnológica de Tecámac, Carretera Federal México-Pachuca Km 37.5, Col. Sierra Hermosa, C.P. 55740, Tecámac, Estado de Mexico, Mexico
Zamora-Valencia C.A.:
División de Procesos Industriales, Academia de Nanotecnología, Universidad Tecnológica de Tecámac, Carretera Federal México-Pachuca Km 37.5, Col. Sierra Hermosa, C.P. 55740, Tecámac, Estado de Mexico, Mexico
Ramírez-Ayala M.F.:
Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 3000, Circuito Exterior s/n, Alcaldía Coyoacán, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico
Camacho-González M.A.:
División de Procesos Industriales, Academia de Nanotecnología, Universidad Tecnológica de Tecámac, Carretera Federal México-Pachuca Km 37.5, Col. Sierra Hermosa, C.P. 55740, Tecámac, Estado de Mexico, Mexico
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