Synthesis of NiO/CoO Photocatalyst for Enhanced Visible Light Assisted Photodegradation of Congo Red Dye – A Comparative Study

Authors

• Mohamed Siddiq, Nanomaterials and Solar Energy Conversion Lab, Department of Chemistry, National Institute of Technology, Trichy – 620015, India
• Akash Rajasekhar, Nanomaterials and Solar Energy Conversion Lab, Department of Chemistry, National Institute of Technology, Trichy – 620015, India
• Rajeswari Alagar, Nanomaterials and Solar Energy Conversion Lab, Department of Chemistry, National Institute of Technology, Trichy – 620015, India
• Mangalaraja Ramalinga Viswanathan, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Universidad Arturo Prat, Avenida Arturo Prat 2120, Iquique 1110939, Chile
• Sambandam Anandan, Nanomaterials and Solar Energy Conversion Lab, Department of Chemistry, National Institute of Technology, Trichy – 620015, IndiaFollow

Abstract

Serious health issues, including cancer, redness, skin irritation, and allergic reactions, have been linked to factories releasing Congo red dye into water supplies. Therefore, this study focused on the simple production of NiO/CoO (NCO) metal oxide nanocomposites using the reflux-assisted chemical precipitation method. Subsequently, these metal oxide nanocomposites were employed for effective photocatalytic degradation of Congo red dye. The crystalline structure and phase purity of the synthesized materials were analyzed using X-ray diffraction, confirming the formation of highly crystalline cubic phases of NiO, CoO, and NCO nanocomposite. Morphological studies showed that the NCO composite exhibited a mixed spherical and square-shaped morphology, indicating efficient interfacial interaction between NiO and CoO. The synergistic combination of NiO and CoO in the composite enhances the material's structural and surface characteristics, making it a promising photocatalyst for Congo Red (CR) dye degradation. This work presents a simple, cost-effective synthesis approach for developing efficient metal oxide nanocomposites for environmental cleanup.

Recommended Citation

Siddiq, Mohamed; Rajasekhar, Akash; Alagar, Rajeswari; Viswanathan, Mangalaraja Ramalinga; and Anandan, Sambandam (2026) Synthesis of NiO/CoO Photocatalyst for Enhanced Visible Light Assisted Photodegradation of Congo Red Dye – A Comparative Study, Sultan Qaboos University Journal For Science: Vol. 31: Iss. 2, 138-145.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.53539/2414-536X.1435
Available at: https://squjs.squ.edu.om/squjs/vol31/iss2/5