Jasminum mesyni mediated synthesis of Co3O4/NiO nanocomposite for methylene blue degradation

In this work, the nanocomposite (NC) of cobalt oxide and nickel oxide (Co3O4/NiO) was synthesized via an environment-friendly route. Jasminum mesyni leaf extract was used to fabricate Co3O4/NiO NC. The as-synthesized NC was characterized by ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX). In the XRD pattern of the synthesized NC, the characteristic Bragg's peaks for nickel oxide were observed at crystal planes 111, 200, 220, 311, and 222, whereas those for cobalt oxide were observed at crystal planes 111, 220, 311, 400, 511, and 550, confirming the formation of Co3O4/NiO NC. SEM micrographs revealed the spherical-shaped NC. The synthesized Co3O4/NiO NC was assessed for photocatalytic activity. For this purpose, a model pollutant, methylene blue (MB) dye, was utilized. The photocatalytic degradation efficiency of the synthesized nanomaterial towards methyl blue was determined to be 92.8% within 80minutes, surpassing the efficiency of the same nanomaterial synthesized previously, as reported in the literature.