La0.7Ca0.3MnO3 (LCMO) powder was synthesized via the hydrothermal method. Structural, morphological, and optical properties of the as-prepared sample were systematically characterized. The XRD results proved the existence of only one crystalline phase. The FESEM image indicates that the La0.7Ca0.3MnO3 sample has a nanorod structure with an average diameter of approximately 125 nm. According to UV-Vis analysis, the band gap energy of the sample was estimated about 2.13 eV. The adsorption and photocatalytic performances of LCMO nanostructure were systematically characterized. The photoactivity efficiency for decolorizing Rhodamine B solution (10 ppm), by LCMO (0.5 g/L), with nearly 80 min illumination, was more than 90% with a reaction rate constant of 0.029 min−1. Ultimately, the reusability of the photocatalyst for degrading the RhB dye was investigated using six cycles. The good reusability and stability of LCMO implies a potential application for dealing with high-concentration dyes by adsorption–photocatalytic degradation.

In the recent decades, increasing of pollutant in water resources endanger the human life and other living things. Researchers have applied different methods to eliminate the water contaminants. Photocatalytic is one of these methods that have been used widely for wastewater treatment. In this study, a series of Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu doped ZnO NANORODS were applied as visible-light-activated catalysts for oxytetracycline (OTC) degradation. Characterization of the NANORODS was performed using XRD, FE-SEM, UV-Vis, and PL techniques. The results show that photocatalytic activity of the samples highly depends on morphology, size and band gap energy. The UV–Vis spectroscopy indicate that Fe doping has reduced the band gap energy to 2.91 eV. The variation of band gap permits absorption of low energy photons and excitation of valence band electrons. The photoluminescence spectra reveal that doping has an effective role in inhibiting the recombination of electron/hole pairs during photocatalytic process. The Mn-doped sample exhibits significantly increased photocatalytic activity and greater degradation rate constant (k) in comparison with the pure ZnO.

Cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) NANORODS were synthesized by iron chloride (FeCl3.6H2O) and cobalt sulfate hexahydrate (CoSO4.7H2O) as precursor in the presence of ethylene glycol agent and poly vinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) surfactant. The samples were characterized to identify the physical properties. XRD pattern of cobalt ferrite samples showed the structure of body center cubic (bcc) structure. The diameter of asprepared samples was determined about 20 nm and annealed one was about 30 and 50 nm in diameter at 500 oC and 1100 oC, respectively. The TEM studies showed that the particles change from rod shaped to sphere-liked shaped particles by increasing annealing temperature. Peaks in the FTIR spectrum determined the element of Fe-Co nanoparticles. EDS shows peaks of iron and cobalt with fewer impurities in prepared samples and Fe/Co ratio was also decreased with increasing annealing temperature. The result of magnetic measurements showed saturation magnetization around 59.5 emu g-1 for annealed samples.