Ferrites are technologically important materials present right from our doorbell to electronic devices. Their novel applications include harnessing the high surface area and photocatalytic potential for the adsorption and degradation of contaminants. Graphene is a flat monolayer of sp<sup>2</sup> hybridized carbons with two-dimensional structure. Its oxidized form graphene oxide and heteroatom-doped graphene/graphene oxide are another class of potential adsorbents explored in the last decade. The rapid increase in water pollution levels has escalated the need to develop environmentally benign adsorbents and photocatalysts. A nanofabrication is an emerging tool for combing the properties of two or more materials. High surface area and magnetic properties of ferrite–graphene-based nanocomposites have been explored for the adsorptive removal of heavy metals. Whereas band gap of ferrite- GO nanocomposites can be effectively tuned by doping of ferrites and variation in GO-ferrite content for the efficient photocatalytic degradation of organic contaminants. The intermediates formed during photodegradation can be studied by radical scavengers and quenching techniques along with mass spectrometric analyses. Mechanism of adsorption and photodegradation can be explained using different kinetic, isotherm and thermodynamic models. Future studies at batch scale need to be complemented with column studies along with mechanistic approach for pathways and fate of the degradation products. These studies can be helpful in the future for overcoming challenges of dealing with real life contaminated water in the future.

Ferrite nanoparticles and their graphene nanocomposites as adsorbents and photocatalysts: Current status and future perspective

2019 Spring National Meeting

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