Preparation and Characterization of ZnFe 2 O 4 /Mn 2 O 3 Nanocatalysts for the Degradation of Nitrobenzene

This study reports the synthesis of pure ZnFe 2 O 4 , pure Mn 2 O 3 nanoparticles and ZnFe 2 O 4 /Mn 2 O 3 nanocomposites by a simple coprecipitation method. The prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, N 2 adsorption/desorption, and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL). The prepared samples were further applied as photocatalysts for UV-exposed degradation of nitrobenzene at 254 nm. The photocatalytic performance showed that ZnFe 2 O 4 /Mn 2 O 3 nanocomposites with various Mn 2 O 3 content exhibited a higher activity compared to that of pure ZnFe 2 O 4 and Mn 2 O 3 . Furthermore, among the prepared nanocomposites, the best photocatalytic performance was exhibited by 0.9ZnFe 2 O 4 /0.1Mn 2 O 3 nanocomposites. The improved photocatalytic activity was mainly attributed to the separation of electron–hole pairs, as verified by PL analysis. To achieve the highest degradation rate, the photodegradation reaction was carried out in the presence of various catalyst doses, in acidic, neutral, and basic mediums and at different reaction temperatures. Finally, the compounds produced from the photodegradation reaction were determined by applying the optimal experimental conditions.