A New Class of Multifunctional CoDy_zFe_2−zO₄ Magnetic Nanomaterials: Influence of Structural, Morphological, Optical, Magnetic, Antibacterial, and Photocatalytic Traits

Here we focus on preparing recoverable Dy doped CoFe₂O₄ photocatalysts for the removal of the malachite green pollutant (MGP) in natural Sunlight. XRD results demonstrate development of the spinel symmetry with no impurities phases. The FESEM analysis revealed spherical grains with definite grain boundaries and agglomerated behavior. We found that our synthesized photocatalysts behaves as an excellent magnetic nanomaterial by observing the saturation magnetization of 77.79 emu g⁻¹. Out of all photocatalysts, CoDy_0.03Fe_1.97O₄ nanophotocatalyst exhibit the high zone of inhibition (ZOI) for Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. It makes the prepared nanomaterials highly suitable for the biological purposes. The effectiveness of photocatalytic degradation activity of prepared specimens is significantly impacted by the addition of dysprosium ions. During a 150 min of reaction period, CoDy_0.03Fe_1.97O₄ has a higher degradation percentage around 95.36% as compared to CoFe₂O₄ (86.09%). The prepared doped and undoped CoFe₂O₄ nanomaterials displayed the least decline in the degradation percentage of MGP after four reuse cycles and this might be attributable to the weight loss during the recovery. Therefore, the nanomaterials suggested a reliable and durable photocatalyst for degradation process. Hence the prepared magnetically recoverable and multifunctional photocatalysts are reliable for the water remediation and biological usages.