Harnessing Spinel Ferrites: A Comprehensive Review of Their Role in Water Treatment

Addressing water pollution effectively has led to the recognition of spinel ferrites as highly promising materials due to their inherent stability, magnetic characteristics, and photocatalytic capabilities. This review evaluates recent progress in employing spinel ferrites for the degradation of organic contaminants in water, highlighting their beneficial properties such as low bandgap energy, hydroxyl radical generation under light, and ease of separation through magnetic properties. Despite considerable research efforts, optimizing the synthesis techniques and photocatalytic performance of spinel ferrites remains a challenge. Key areas needing further exploration include improved doping methods, modifications to enhance photocatalysis, and evaluations of reusability, durability, and scalability. This review addresses these issues by providing a thorough analysis of recent innovations in spinel ferrite-based photocatalysts, including novel hybrid materials and advanced synthesis techniques like sol-gel, co-precipitation, and hydrothermal processes. This review offers an in-depth examination of the latest advancements in spinel ferrite photocatalysts, focusing on their applications in water purification. It investigates the influence of operational parameters; such as pH, temperature, light intensity, and catalyst dosage on efficiency and explores emerging composite materials and previously unexplored spinel ferrite systems. By incorporating recent research developments, the review underscores the significant potential of spinel ferrites and their composites for enhancing sustainable water treatment technologies.