Magnetically separable NiFe2O4 nanoparticles: synthesis and photocatalytic activity

• Published in: Journal of materials science. Materials in electronics 2024, Vol.35 (1), p.84, Article 84
• Main Authors: Patil, Rohini P., Teli, Shivanand B., Jadhav, Varsha D., Kamble, Pradip D., Garadkar, Kalyanrao M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Catalytic activity; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry and Materials Science; Dyes; Energy gap; Face centered cubic lattice; Magnetic saturation; Materials Science; Nanoparticles; Nickel ferrites; Optical and Electronic Materials; Oxidation; Photocatalysis; Photocatalysts; Photodegradation; X ray photoelectron spectroscopy
• ISSN: 0957-4522; 1573-482X
• DOI: 10.1007/s10854-023-11833-5

Current research addresses the successful development of magnetic NiFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles (NPs) by green method using cabbage ( Brassica oleracea L.) leaf extract as a capping agent. Obtained NiFe 2 O 4 NPs were calcined at 500, 600, and 700 °C for characterization and acted as photocatalyst. The NiFe 2 O 4 NPs are crystalline in nature with FCC cubic spinel structure. The XPS analysis confirmed the oxidation states of Ni 2+ and Fe 3+ , respectively. Prepared NiFe 2 O 4 NPs are in a spherical shape with a particle size of 10–12 nm is confirmed by SEM. FT-IR spectrum exhibits major bands of phytocompounds and Fe–O. The band gap energy of NiFe 2 O 4 is observed around 1.76 eV. Super-paramagnetic nature of NiFe 2 O 4 is observed by VSM and the saturation magnetization is around 20 emu/g. Using NiFe 2 O 4 NPs as a photocatalyst accomplished 94% photodegradation of Methyl Orange (MO) under UV–Vis. light (max-365 nm) within 135 min with 1.5 g/dm 3 photocatalyst loading. NiFe 2 O 4 NPs are easily separable by a bar magnet; hence the small nanoparticles can separate for reuse. Also, there is no significant change in photodegradation efficiency after time that indicates a photocatalyst is photostable and reusable.