Structure, adsorption properties and Fenton-like catalytic activity of cobalt ferrite nanoparticles synthesized with Physalis extract

CoFe2O4 nanoparticles were synthesized from different parts of the Physalis. Characterization techniques including XRD and FTIR confirmed the spinel structure. According to the FTIR data, the spectra contain peaks corresponding to organic residues originating from the reducing agent. The data of ХRD analysis indicate an increase in the lattice parameter and crystallite size in the order CoFe2O4–F < CoFe2O4–FH < CoFe2O4–H. According to the SEM observations, the CoFe2O4–H demonstrates a lower degree of agglomeration coupled with significant porosity, whereas the CoFe2O4–FH and CoFe2O4–F samples display more distinct lamellar structures. The inversion degree was calculated based on the Mössbauer spectra of the samples. The use of the physalis fruit+husk extract results in the formation of nanoparticles with an increased BET surface area (76 m2/g), whereas using of physalis fruit extract results in the formation of an increased area of mesopores (46 m2/g). The adsorption properties and Fenton-like catalytic activity of the synthesized samples have been investigated. The highest degree of Congo Red dye adsorption was observed for the sample CoFe2O4–FH while the lowest was for the sample CoFe2O4–H. FTIR spectra confirmed the chemosorption of the dye molecules onto the ferrite surface. The adsorption is higher on the surface with a higher degree of functionalization. The Fenton-like oxidation of Congo Red dye in the presence of H2O2 has been studied, demonstrating the high catalytic activity of all samples in dye removal and H2O2 decomposition. Amperometric I–τ curve measurements were used to observe the changes in the interactions between H2O2 and the ferrites.