Synthesis of MgFe2O4 Nanoparticles and its Application for Photodegradation of Methylene Blue

Abstract

Methylene blue wastewater from the paper, clothing, and textile industries can adversely affect aquatic ecosystems if improperly treated. One method to treat methylene blue pollutants in sewage is through photocatalysis techniques using magnesium ferrite (MgFe₂O₄) nanoparticle-based semiconductors. The MgFe₂O₄ is effective for methylene blue degradation because it is stable in aqueous systems, inexpensive, and has good photocatalytic activity. This study aims to synthesize MgFe₂O₄ nanoparticles with pumpkin seed extract (Cucurbita moschata) as a capping agent through a hydrothermal method. Characterization results show that MgFe₂O₄ nanoparticles synthesized with the addition of 3 mL pumpkin seed extract have a crystal size of 3.87 nm, cubic spinel structure, average particle size of 29 nm, and band gap energy value of 1.94 eV. The MgFe₂O₄ nanoparticles produced optimum degradation efficiency under mercury lamp irradiation with a degradation capacity of 391.98 mg/g at pH 12.