Magnesium Substituted Copper Ferrite as an Effective Catalyst for the Organic Dyes Decomposition

In this study, a series of magnesium-substituted spinels with general compositions of $\mathbf{M g}_{x} \mathrm{Cu}_{1-\mathrm{x}} \mathrm{Fe}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{4}$, where x varies from 0.0 to 1.0 a step of 0.2, was synthesize via the solgel autocombustion method. Citric acid is used as the chelating agent. The phase composition, particle size, and morphology of the materials were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray dispersion analysis. The effects of magnesium substitution on the magnetic properties of the samples were evaluated using a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). Additionally, degradation tests were conducted using spectrophotometer, with methylene blue (MB) selected as the model pollutant. The study demonstrates alterations in the structure and magnetic properties of the synthesized material. The spinel produced via self-combustion was found to be a mesoporous material with strong magnetic properties and significant sensitivity to visible light. Degradation tests using methylene blue as a pollutant showed effective dye removal, achieving 95% efficiency within 160 minutes. The copper spinel modified with magnesium ions proved to be an environmentally safe, stable, and effective photo-Fenton catalyst that is simple to synthesize and suitable for practical applications.