Preparation of multiferroic Co substituted BiFeO3 with enhanced coercive force and its application in sorption removal of dye molecules from aqueous solution

Multiferroic Co substituted BiFeO3 (BiFe0.95Co0.05O3) compound was synthesized by complex sol–gel method and its potential application as an efficient magnetic adsorbent in sorption removal of organic contaminants (like Rhodamine B as a model compound) was investigated. The XRD, Raman, and PPMS measurement revealed that Co substituted BiFeO3 enhances magnetic properties dramatically at room temperature without inducing any impurity phase. This aspect is very useful for many applications of Co substituted BiFeO3 especially in magnetic separation of this catalyst after its utilization in water purification. The adsorption kinetics, isotherm, thermodynamic as well as the possible sorption mechanism was studied through batch experiments. Almost no negative effect on the sorption performance (i.e. the sorption rate and saturated sorption capacity) was found after substitution of Co in BiFeO3. In addition, this substitution give rise to much higher coercive force of BiFe0.95Co0.05O3 which can be recycled more easily by magnetic separation technology.

► Co substituted BiFeO3 perovskite has been prepared by complex sol–gel process.
► The microstructure of Co substituted BiFeO3 has been confirmed by XRD and Raman.
► The dramatic enhanced magnetic property of Co substituted BiFeO3 has been proved.
► The efficient sorption removal of dye on Co substituted BiFeO3 has been studied.