Retraction notice to “Promoting the photocatalytic reduction of CO2 and dye degradation via multi metallic Smx modified CuCo2O4 reverse spinel hybrid catalyst” [Ceram. Int. 49 (2023) 1742–1755]

Abstract

This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (https://www.elsevier.com/locate/withdrawalpolicy). This article has been retracted at the request of the Editor in Chief. It was established that there were several possible scientific errors present in the published work, evidenced by figure and data inconsistencies. The authors processed the sample once again, resulting in entirely different graphs being generated, which in turn called into question the integrity of the entire study. The data in question. Fig.3, DRS plot of 1 wt% is replicated for the other samples. The background line at x = 0 is cut and made shorter and further the sloppy region is merged with the x = 0 line. X-axis values are edited to look different. The scattered region near the peak is also edited in the similar way to show differences but all the images are created from one image. The curves show two different colors overlapping which is indicating the original curves is attempted to be covered by another curve in a different color. There are no differences in the shape, intensity or trend in the curves which indicate all are created from one image. - Fig.2, UV–Vis spectra plot of Sm:CuCo2O4 1 wt%, is replicated for the other samples 3 wt%, 5 wt% and 12 wt% the x-axis values visible from Fig. 2. present no change except the x-axis values. - FTIR peaks do not match with the data given in Table 3 and the CuCO2O4 peaks are usually observed near 550 cm-1 and 650 cm-1. Fig.6, SEM images of CuCO2O4 does not show any relevance with literature. The scale is very high (25 and 5 mm). The particles are claimed as spherical in nature but the morphology is different. Fig. 10, PL spectra has been edited by drawing a curve over the original curve in a different color. This is visible when the image is magnified.