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UV-Responsive Er-Doped NiAl2O4/Mn/GO Nanocomposites: Green Synthesis and Photocatalytic Degradation of Organic Pollutants via Fluorescent Behavior for Water Purification

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Abstract

Synthetic dye-induced water pollution poses considerable environmental challenges, underscoring the urgent demand for novel and sustainable remediation strategies. In this context, the present study introduces an eco-friendly synthesis approach for Er-doped NiAl₂O₄/Mn/GO nanocomposites, employing rhubarb extract as a natural capping agent to enhance the process's sustainability. Various synthesis techniques, including microwave irradiation, co-precipitation, ultrasonic treatment, and hydrothermal processes, were rigorously investigated to determine their impact on the morphological features, physicochemical attributes, and fluorescence behavior of the resulting nanocomposites. Comprehensive characterization was performed using advanced analytical methods such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area analysis. The photophysical characteristics of the nanocomposites were investigated, emphasizing their fluorescence response under UV irradiation. A band gap value of 3.2 eV highlighted their promising photocatalytic activity under ultraviolet light exposure. The photocatalytic efficiency, assessed against Acid Black 1 dye, demonstrated effective degradation capabilities. Radical scavenger experiments utilizing p-benzoquinone, benzoic acid, and EDTA offered valuable insights into the underlying degradation mechanisms. The ultrasound-assisted synthesis technique exhibited superior photocatalytic efficiency, achieving a remarkable 94.59% degradation of dye within 60 min utilizing 40 mg of the nanocatalyst. These findings underscore the significant potential of Er-doped NiAl₂O₄/Mn/GO nanocomposites, characterized by their enhanced fluorescence properties, as efficient and sustainable photocatalysts for the effective elimination of organic pollutants from wastewater.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Malayer University and Cihan University for their invaluable support and assistance throughout the course of this research project. Their contributions have significantly enhanced the quality of our work and have been instrumental in the successful achievement of our research goals.

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No financial support was received for the study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Malayer University, Malayer, Iran

    Seyed Ali Hosseini Moradi

  2. Department of Physics, College of Science, Al-Mustansiriya University, Al-Mustansiriya, Baghdad, Iraq

    Durgham Abdulsattar Oleiwi

  3. Department of Medical Biochemical Analysis, Cihan University-Erbil, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq

    Kamran Heydaryan

  4. College of Education for Pure Sciences, University of Al-Muthanna, Samawah, Al-Muthanna, Iraq

    Sattar H. Abed

  5. College of Pharmacy, Al-Hadba University, Mosul, Iraq

    Farzad Namvar

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Contributions

D.A.O: Investigation, Writing original draft, Methodology; S.A.H.M: Supervision, Project administration, Methodology; S.H.A and F.N: Conceptualization and Formal analysis, K.H: Writing original draft and editing the manuscript. All authors reviewed the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Seyed Ali Hosseini Moradi.

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Moradi, S.A.H., Oleiwi, D.A., Heydaryan, K. et al. UV-Responsive Er-Doped NiAl2O4/Mn/GO Nanocomposites: Green Synthesis and Photocatalytic Degradation of Organic Pollutants via Fluorescent Behavior for Water Purification. J Fluoresc (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10895-025-04357-0

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