Biosynthesis and characterization of Fe3O4@Ag-Cu magnetic nanostructures and its application in the degradation of erythrosine and congo red pollutants under UV irradiation

In this research, Fe3O4@Ag-Cu magnetic nanostructures were synthesized with inexpensive, and eco-friendly method to enhance the photocatalytic properties, for the first time. Magnetic nanostructures were prepared by precipitation method in presence of Crataegus microphylla extract as capping agent and reducing agent. As-synthesized magnetic products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDS), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. Spherical morphology, high magnetic property, less agglomeration and small size are the various features of synthesized nanostructures. As-prepared nanostructures were used in degradation of organic pollutants. The results show that the degradation percentage of erythrosine and congo red were 96.3% and 89.6% after 50 min under UV irradiation, respectively. Oxygen group and positive charge in the molecular structure of rhodamine b can be effective factors to increases of photocatalytic performance. Due to the results, Fe3O4@Ag-Cu magnetic nanostructures can be introduced good candidate for photocatalytic applications. As well as, the catalyst shows high recovery and stability even after several separation cycles.