Nanomodified Geopolymers with Copper Ferrites for Methylene Blue Degradation

Abstract

The photocatalytic properties of copper ferrites can be exploited in the degradation of organic contaminants in aqueous media, such as methylene blue. The interaction of ferrites with electromagnetic radiation results in the formation of chemical species capable of acting in the degradation of methylene blue molecules. The incorporation of these nanomaterials into geopolymeric matrices makes it possible to produce polymeric nanocomposites with improved properties. Geopolymers loaded with different percentages of copper ferrites were placed in contact with a solution of methylene blue, exposed to UV light and it was possible to observe photocatalytic activity in the degradation of this dye. Analysis in a UV–Vis spectrophotometer, at the maximum absorbance wavelength of the dye equivalent to 670 nm, showed that the geopolymer loaded with 2% copper ferrites was more effective in degrading methylene blue. These results display the potential of copper ferrite-loaded geopolymers as viable photocatalysts for organic pollutant remediation.