Magnetically recyclable core–shell structured Co0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4@polyaniline nanocomposite: high stability and rapid photocatalytic degradation of commercial azo dyes and industrial effluents

A nanocomposite photocatalyst, Cobalt-Zinc-Ferrite @Polyaniline (CZF@PANI) was synthesized via co-precipitation and in-situ oxidative polymerization methods, to treat commercial dyes and industrial effluents. The formation of the spinel ferrite structure of nanoparticles (CZF) and the core–shell structure of CZF@PANI were confirmed by spectral analyses. By using multi-point analysis, the BET surface area of the CZF@PANI photocatalyst was found to be 25.14 m2/g. The photocatalytic performance of CZF@PANI was validated by the degradation mainly of reactive orange (RO-14) and dispersed red (DR-1) and exhibited superior degradation (> 99%). The activity of CZF@PANI was almost unchanged even after 25 cycles of degradation of RO-14. This indicates extremely high stability. Furthermore, three more synthetic dyes, real textile and tannery wastewater samples were also subjected to treatment by CZF@PANI and showed considerable degradation. pH, BOD, and COD values were decreased to the Business for Social Responsibility (BSR) standard range in the tested textile wastewater sample. The composites' simple synthesis, high degradation capability, excellent stability and regenerability may provide a highly efficient and cost-effective photocatalyst for water remediation.