Sintesis Komposit Polianilina/Tembaga Ferit dengan variasi Perbandingan Massa Anilina untuk Mendegradasi Remazol Red RB 133 secara Foto-Fenton Like

Abstract

Copper ferrite (CuFe₂O₄) with a mixed cubic-tetragonal spinel structure were synthesized and applied in a photo-Fenton process. Photo-Fenton activity was enhanced by narrowing the band gap through the addition of polyaniline (PANi), a conductive polymer with a band gap of 2.8 eV, to form a PANi/copper ferrite composite. This study aimed to investigate the effect of varying the aniline mass ratio on the crystal structure, morphology, functional groups, and band gap of the PANi/copper ferrite composite, as well as its photo-Fenton performance in removing Remazol Red RB 133 dye under various irradiation durations. Copper ferrite was synthesized via the co-precipitation method, while the PANi/copper ferrite composite was prepared through oxidative polymerization using aniline-toferrite mass ratios of 0:1, 1:2, 1:1, 2:1, and 1:0. Samples were characterized using XRD, SEM, FTIR, and UV-Vis DRS. XRD analysis confirmed the formation of a mixed cubic-tetragonal spinel phase alongside CuO and α-Fe₂O₃ impurity phases, while SEM revealed a needle-like morphology that became denser as the aniline content increased. FTIR spectra showed characteristic PANi bands shifting to higher wavenumbers following composite formation, indicating interfacial interaction between PANi and copper ferrite. The band gap value decreased with increasing aniline content, dropping from 1.38 eV for pure copper ferrite to 0.78 eV for the 2:1 PANi/copper ferrite ratio. Photo-Fenton tests demonstrated that the PANi/copper ferrite composites exhibited higher activity compared to pure copper ferrite. The 2:1 PANi/copper ferrite composite exhibited the most optimal photoFenton performance, achieving the highest Remazol Red RB 133 removal efficiency after 70 minutes of irradiation, supported by the highest R² and rate constant in the pseudo-first-order kinetic model. It was concluded that the aniline mass ratio significantly influences the crystal structure, morphology, and band gap of the PANi/copper ferrite composite, thereby affecting its photo-Fenton performance.