Environmentally Friendly Synthesis of Magnetic CuFe2O4 Powder as Photo-Fenton Catalysts by Sol-Gel Method Using Tamaring Fruit Extract.

The present paper reports the synthesis of magnetic photo-Fenton catalysts based on CuFe₂O₄ via an environmentally friendly sol-gel method at different annealing temperatures (700, 800, and 900°C) using tamarind fruit extract as a chelating agent. The catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, nitrogen adsorption, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometry. Their photo-Fenton catalytic performance was tested with oxalic acid for the degradation of Methylene Blue under UVA light and under visible light. According to the results, the annealing temperature was found to be the important factor, significantly affecting the oxalic acid-induced-photo-Fenton activity. When the annealing temperature increased from 700 to 800°C, the catalytic performance was strongly improved, which can be explained by the enhanced Fe³⁺ content on the catalyst surface. At higher annealing temperature, due to the growth and agglomeration of particles, the specific surface area was decreased, consequently reducing the catalytic activity. The sample prepared at 800°C also displayed good ferromagnetic properties, making it the most promising recyclable material for wastewater treatment in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]