Green synthesis and Characterization of ZnO-CoFe2O4 Semiconductor Photocatalysts Prepared Using Rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum L.) Peel Extract

In this work, the semiconductor of ZnO-CoFe2O4 composites were prepared by green synthesis approach using rambutan peel extract (Nephelium lappaceum L.) as a capping agent. X-ray diffraction patterns of composites showed the main peaks of ZnO at 2θ = 31.8°, 34.5°, and 36.2° corresponding to hexagonal wurtzite structure and weak peak at 2θ = 35.4° for cubic structure of CoFe2O4. The formation of rice-like and small granular morphology were confirmed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM), whereas the superparamagnetic behavior of the samples were determined by vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The spectrum of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) showed absorption bands related to a number of interactions and binding energy in the samples respectively. The photocatalytic performance of composites under solar light was evaluated for the degradation of Direct Red 81 and the dye from washing water of batik garments. The composites showed good photocatalytic activity with the degradation percentage reaching 99.6% for Direct Red 81 dye after 2 hours.