Synthesis, characterization, and applications of cobalt bismuth layered double hydroxide nanoparticles: Physical insights towards a potential material as fuel additive and photocatalyst

In present research, novel cobalt bismuth layered double hydroxides (Co/Bi-LDHs) were fabricated by urea hydrolysis approach at laboratory scale in mixed solvent of water and ethylene glycol. Synthesized product was analyzed by different techniques such as powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transmission infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Cobalt oxide (Co₃O₄) was obtained after calcinations in nanometer range, which showed excellent catalytic characteristics. Calcined LDHs were used as photocatalyst to degrade Congo Red (CR) under different conditions of catalyst and hydrogen peroxide. Different parameters such as flash point, fire point, cloud point, pour point, kinematic viscosity, and specific gravity were also studied in order to check the efficiency of commercial diesel at different concentrations of catalyst.