Enhanced photocatalytic activity of Sr7Mn7O19.62-Dy2O3 nanocomposite synthesized via a green method

The removal of pollutants existing in industrial wastewater is one of the worldwide main challenging issues owing to the increasing demands for clean water supplies. The purpose of this study is to investigate the feasibility of new synthesized Sr₇Mn₇O_19.62-Dy₂O₃ nanocomposites for the removal of organic dyes through photo-degradation mechanism from the wastewater. In this regard, for the first time, Sr₇Mn₇O_19.62-Dy₂O₃ nanocomposites synthesized by the sol-gel combustion method using the different green capping agents and final product characterized via X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), and Ultraviolet (UV)-visible spectroscopy. Furthermore, the photocatalytic activity Sr₇Mn₇O_19.62-Dy₂O₃ nanocomposite investigated in the presence of various parameters such as dye type, the effect of pH, and different values of the green capping agents. The results showed that the best photocatalytic activity and hence the removal of pollutants for the proposed nanocomposite (bandgap ?3.25 eV) achieved using Ficus Carica as green capping agent and calcination temperature of 900 °C in the presence of Eriochorme black T dye (photo-degradation of %94.52). This study conclusively shows the potential regarding the development of Sr₇Mn₇O_19.62-Dy₂O₃ as a novel and effective nanocomposite for wastewater treatment.