The photodegradation of naproxen in an aqueous solution employing a cobalt ferrite-carbon quantum dots (CF/N-CQDs) nanocomposite, synthesized via microwave approach

A microwave method was used to successfully synthesize magnetic photocatalytic CoFe2O4/N-Carbon quantum dots (CF/N-CQDs) composite. To assess the inherent qualities of the prepared nanomaterials, a comprehensive analysis was conducted employing various analytical techniques, including powder UV–visible diffuse reflection spectroscopy (DRS), infrared (IR) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The UV–vis and PL results showed that the addition of CF and N-CQDs improved the optical properties. A superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) was used to measure the magnetic properties of CF and CF/N-CQDs composites at room temperature and they showed superparamagnetic behavior. The photocatalytic performance of the synthesized nanomaterials was tested in an aqueous medium while exposed to visible light using naproxen (NPX) as a model pollutant. The photocatalytic efficiency of the CF/N-CQDs composite was found to be the highest, as compared to the pristine materials. Quenching experiments revealed that the photocatalytic degradation process involved HO, h+, and O2−. A potential photocatalytic mechanism was also proposed, and the composite demonstrated high reusability in four cycles due to its ferromagnetic properties.