Influence of physicochemical properties on the thermochemical water splitting performance and H2 production of CoFe2O4

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy 2024-06, Vol.71, p.1293-1302
• Main Authors: Huerta-Flores, Ali Margot, Torre, Francesco, Taeño, Maria, Barreno, Rosalía Cid, Palomo Del Barrio, Elena, Doppiu, Stefania
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cobalt ferrite; Hydrogen production; Physicochemical properties; Thermochemical water splitting
• ISSN: 0360-3199
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2024.05.333

This research investigates the impact of physicochemical properties on the thermochemical redox ability of CoFe2O4 for water splitting application. Three samples with different properties (CFO-A, CFO-B, and CFO-C) are evaluated. The results reveal that particle size, Co/Fe ratio, and the spinel inversion degree notably affect the redox behavior and sintering of the material. The sample with the smallest particle size (CFO-A, 14 nm) exhibits the most pronounced sintering and the lowest redox performance. Meanwhile, the H2 production results show the effect of the Co/Fe ratio and spinel inversion. The sample with Co/Fe = 0.5 (CFO–B), exhibits the highest H2 production (595 μmol g−1), compared to the samples with Co/Fe = 0.6 (CFO-A and CFO-C). Thermodynamic calculations support these findings, suggesting that the thermochemical water splitting reaction is thermodynamically more favorable with a Co/Fe ratio = 0.5. The spinel inversion degree also influences the performance of the material, since CFO-B, the most efficient sample, shows the lowest inversion degree (67 %), compared to CFO-A and CFO-C (70 and 68 %). These results stress the importance of thoroughly controlling the physicochemical properties of the active redox material. [Display omitted] •Effect of material properties on thermochemical water splitting is evaluated.•Particle size