Synthesis, Characterization and Photocatalytic Activity of CoFeO/FeO Dispersed in Mesoporous KIT-6.

The present work aimed to synthesize and characterize a solid based on CoFeO/FeO-KIT-6 and evaluate its performance in the photocatalytic degradation of the remazol red ultra RGB dye. By analyzing XRD, N physisorption, and Mössbauer results, it was possible to identify that the desired CoFeO/FeO phase was achieved, which maintained its structural properties. The FTIR-pyridine indicated the presence of Lewis acid sites, while TPD-CO showed a large amount of weak basic sites. The band-gap energy indicated that the compound can be applied in photocatalytic degradation under UV/visible light, with the possibility of magnetic separation at the end of the reaction. The photocatalysis results indicated that there was complete degradation of the remazol red ultra RGB dye within 1 h of reaction. Despite the absence of HO, the combination of the proposed photocatalyst with the anatase phase (TiO) showed significant improvements in the degradation process. The proposed mechanism for complete dye degradation indicated that a sequence of radical reactions is necessary, generating oxidant species such as •OH and the final products were CO and HO.