Efficient CuO/AgFe2O4/CeO2 ternary nanocomposites for photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue dye under solar light irradiation

The creation of a ternary nanocomposite has led to significant improvements in optoelectronic characteristics. In this study, individual and combined nanostructures CeO₂, AgFe₂O₄, CuO, AgFe₂O₄/CeO₂, CuO/CeO₂ and CuO/AgFe₂O₄/CeO₂ were synthesized through a sol-gel method coupled with dispersion in a polar solvent. Their structural, morphological and optical behaviors were thoroughly examined using techniques including X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV-visible spectroscopy and Photoluminescence (PL) analysis. The integration of CeO₂, AgFe₂O₄ and CuO in the ternary nanocomposite resulted in a notable reduction of the band gap, enhancing its photocatalytic potential. CeO₂ contributed to improved light harvesting, while CuO functioned as an electron sink, collectively boosting the composite’s optical performance. Furthermore, the formation of heterojunction interfaces among CuO, AgFe₂O₄ and CeO₂ promoted efficient separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs, thus enhancing the catalytic activity of the composite in light-driven reactions. Among the tested samples, the CuO/AgFe₂O₄/CeO₂ ternary nanocomposite demonstrated superior photocatalytic efficiency, achieving up to 98% degradation of methylene blue dye within 70 minutes.