Yttrium substituted Co–Cu–Zn nanoferrite: A synergetic impact of Y3+ on enhanced physical properties and photocatalysis

Co_0.5Cu_0.25Zn_0.25Y_xFe_2-xO₄; (0≤x≤0.1; step 0.02) (CCZY) spinel ferrites were prepared by citrate technique. The prepared CCZY samples have crystallite sizes ranging from 21 to 34 nm. The nanoscale nature of the samples was, also, established by HRTEM micrographs. Even though the substitution route here involves the replacement of magnetic ions Fe³⁺ by a non-magnetic one Y³, the magnetization of CCZY nanoparticles did not show a continual decrease as expected. The nanoferrite Co_0.5Cu_0.25Zn_0.25Y_0.06Fe_1.94O₄, has a moderate value of saturation magnetization 63.45 emu/g (decreased with 11.55% than the pristine sample) and higher coercivity 416.44 Oe (increased with 21.83% than the pristine sample), which may be a suitable candidate for data storage applications. All CCZY nanoferrite have direct optical band gap within the range 1.57 eV–1.50 eV; which doesn't introduce a regular behavior with Y/Fe substitution process. Distinctively, the MB dye removal shows an optimum value with the nanoferrite CCZY (0.1), which gives a degradation efficiency of 95% after 60 min only. The outstanding increase in catalytic performance of the nanoferrite CCZY (0.1) was correlated with the size factor and saturation magnetization. The desirability function approach enabled to distinguish the optimal material (CCZY (0.1)) with the superior catalytic performance; the smallest size and convenient magnetic properties. Hence, the nanoferrite Co_0.5Cu_0.25Zn_0.25Y_0.1Fe_1.9O₄ can be utilized efficaciously for water treatment, via the safe photocatalytic process; without sabotaging the environment.