Synthesis and Characterization of CuCr1.4Co0.6O4 Spinel Nanostructures: Impact of Cobalt Doping on Optical and Photocatalytic Properties Синтез і характериcтика наноструктур шпінелі CuCr1.4Co0.6O4: вплив легування кобальтом на оптичні та фотокаталітичні властивості

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Khaldi S., Allaoui A., Zenkhri L., Besra S., SAKA E. T., Akkol C.

Journal of Nano- and Electronic Physics, cilt.18, sa.4, 2026 (Scopus)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 18 Sayı: 4
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.21272/jnep.18(4).04032
  • Dergi Adı: Journal of Nano- and Electronic Physics
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Scopus, Aerospace Database, Applied Science & Technology Source, Directory of Open Access Journals, Technology Collection (ProQuest)
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: 4-nitrophenol, Combustion method, Optical properties, Photocatalysis, Spinel nanostructures
  • Açık Arşiv Koleksiyonu: AVESİS Açık Erişim Koleksiyonu
  • Karadeniz Teknik Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

In this work, copper-based spinel oxides with the general formula CuCr_2-xCo_xO_4 (x = 0 and 0.6) were synthesized via a facile combustion method to investigate the effect of cobalt incorporation on their structural, morphological, optical, and photocatalytic properties. The samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), and UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-DRS). XRD confirmed the formation of well-crystallized single-phase spinel structures for both CuCr_2O_4 and CuCr_1.4Co_0.6O_4, with nanoscale crystallite sizes, indicating that cobalt substitution preserved the spinel framework. SEM images revealed agglomerated nanosized grains with nearly spherical morphology, while EDS confirmed the homogeneous distribution of Cu, Cr, O, and Co. UV-DRS analysis showed a decrease in the optical band gap from 2.81eV (CuCr_2O_4) to 2.65eV (CuCr_1.4Co_0.6O_4), suggesting enhanced light absorption. The photocatalytic performance of the samples was evaluated under UV irradiation toward the degradation of methylene blue (MB) and 4-nitrophenol (4-NP). The doped CuCr_1.4Co_0.6O_4 exhibited markedly superior photocatalytic activity, achieving complete MB degradation and 72.9 conversion of 4-NP within 15min, outperforming the undoped CuCr_2O_4. This enhancement is attributed to improved charge separation efficiency, reduced band gap energy, and smaller crystallite size resulting from cobalt incorporation.