ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Zinc-doped Zn_xBa_1-xAl_0.3Fe_1.7O₄(X = 0, 0.4) spinel ferrite nanocomposites: a novel visible-light photocatalyst with enhanced surface, optical, and electronic properties for efficient ciprofloxacin degradation

Waleed Y. Rizg, Naemi Tonateni Shifeta, Muhammad Yasar, Muhammad Iftikhar Ahmad Khan, Cumali Celik, Khalid J. Alzahrani, Khalaf F. Alsharif, Fuad M. Alzahrani, Mashkhura Sultonova, and Shakhlokhon Kurbanova

Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

E-mail: apchemist755@gmail.com

Received: 16 November 2025  Accepted: 12 January 2026

Abstract:

This study presents the first investigation of zinc-doped Zn_0.4Ba_0.6Al_0.3Fe_1.7O₄ spinel ferrite nanocomposites as novel visible-light photocatalysts for ciprofloxacin degradation. The nanocomposites were synthesized via sol–gel auto-combustion and characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR, SEM–EDX, BET, and UV–Vis dispersive X Zinc substitution induced significant structural modifications, including lattice parameter reduction (8.403 → 8.3347 Å), crystallite refinement (23.432 → 19.51 nm), and enhanced surface area (6.765 → 9.246 m²/g). The optical bandgap narrowed from 2.65 to 2.52 eV, improving the visible-light absorption. The photocatalytic efficiency increased dramatically from 64.37% (undoped) to 96.47% (zinc-doped) within 50 min under optimized conditions. Scavenger analysis identified hydroxyl radicals as the primary reactive species in this process. The catalyst demonstrated superior selectivity for ciprofloxacin (96.47%) compared to methylene blue (77.45%), methyl orange (57.12%), and rhodamine B (37.96%). The addition of H₂ O₂ resulted in complete degradation within 30 min. Excellent reusability was maintained with > 86% efficiency after five cycles, demonstrating the practical viability of the material for pharmaceutical wastewater treatment.

Keywords: Zinc-doped spinel ferrite; Photocatalytic degradation; Ciprofloxacin antibiotic; Visible light photocatalysis; Water treatment; Nanocomposites

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.1007/s11696-026-04673-0

Chemical Papers 80 (4) 4075–4098 (2026)