Unique and hierarchically structured novel Co3O4/NiO nanosponges with superior photocatalytic activity against organic contaminants

In the present study, novel Co₃O₄/NiO nanosponges designed for the photocatalytic degradation of organic contaminants were synthesized by a simple precipitation technique. The formation of sponge-like nanostructures was clearly evident through the TEM analysis. The photocatalytic efficiency was tested against rhodamine B (RhB) and congo red (CR) dye solutions. Co₃O₄/NiO nanosponges showed excellent and enhanced photocatalytic efficacy compared to those of Co₃O₄, NiO nanoparticles, and standards like TiO₂ and ZnO. The influence of paramount important operational parameters was explored and the conditions for the best photocatalytic efficiency were optimized. The trapping experiment revealed that the reactive oxygen species (ROS) identified was $OH radical. These findings certainly open up a new way for synthesizing a morphology dependent photocatalyst.