Spinel ferrites in the photocatalytic and adsorptive remediation of dyes and heavy metals: A review

Abstract

This review spotlights the transformative potential of spinel ferrite compositions in revolutionizing wastewater remediation, particularly in eliminating toxic dyes and heavy metals. With their versatile cubic structures and finely tunable compositions, spinel ferrites emerge as powerful catalysts capable of driving efficient photocatalytic and adsorptive processes. Spinel ferrites have demonstrated up to 99.5% degradation efficiency for methylene blue (MB) within 90 min and completely removed other dyes like methyl orange (MO) under optimal conditions. By honing in on the intricate role of metal ion variations within the spinel lattice, this review uncovers how these compositional tweaks dramatically enhance catalytic performance, optimize band gaps, and boost magnetic properties. The discussion emphasizes how compositional variations, such as doping with rare-earth metals, which increased dye degradation efficiency by 97.76 % in cobalt‑zinc ferrites. Beyond their lab-scale potential, we address the critical challenges of scaling these materials for real-world applications, including their reusability, long-term stability, and commercial viability. This comprehensive analysis underscores the promise of spinel ferrites as next-generation materials in the quest for sustainable and effective water purification.