Study on photocatalitic-adsorbtion properties of hollow ZrFe₂O₄ cauliflowers for removal of organic pollutants

Hollow zirconium ferrite cauliflowers were synthesized by a facile solvothermal method using ultrasonic waves. The prepared nanoparticles were employed for the removal of methylene blue (MB) in the wastewater treatment. X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern of the ferrite sample is well in agreement with the standard pattern of the ZrFe₂O₄ structure. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image reveals that the resultant ferrite is nanoporous structurally and the average sizes of spheres and holes diameter were measured at 150 and 20 nm, respectively. The magnetic properties of the hollow nanospheres were characterized on a vibrant sample magnetometer (VSM) with maximum saturation magnetization value of 70.3 emu/g. UV-visible absorption spectroscopy was used to record the adsorption behavior. The maximum adsorption capacity of magnetic hollow ZrFe₂O₄ cauliflowers for MB in the concentration range (1–50 mg L-1) studied, as calculated from the Langmuir isotherm model.