Correlating the effect of preparation methods on the structural and magnetic properties, and reducibility of CuFe₂O₄ catalysts

Abstract

The preparation method plays an important role in the structural properties and catalytic performance of CuFe2O4 catalysts.

Fast and Facile Microwave Synthesis of Cubic CuFe2O4 Nanoparticles for Electrochemical CO2 Reduction

“…[ 11 ] The critical inversion parameter for phase transition is believed to be 0.75. [ 19 ] The cation distribution is largely dependent on the synthesis conditions, such as particle size and calcination temperature, [ 11,21–23 ] that appear to have the most significant impact on both structure and degree of inversion. Calculations have shown that the cation distribution significantly affects the electronic properties, with a change from a completely inverted structure to a normal one resulting in a change from semi‐conducting to half‐metallic properties.…”

“…CuFe 2 O 4 has been used for several catalytic processes, such as methanol steam reforming, [ 22 ] photocatalytic degradation, [ 23 ] photocatalytic water splitting, [ 25 ] photoelectrochemical hydrogen evolution, [ 26 ] photoelectrochemical water oxidation, [ 27,28 ] as well as gas sensor material [ 29 ] or for protein separation. [ 30 ] A huge advantage is the easy recovery of the material due to its magnetic properties.…”

“…[19,24] This has experimentally been observed by a reduced grain resistance and improved conductivity for partially inverse tetragonal CuFe 2 O 4 compared to normal cubic CuFe 2 O 4 . [19] CuFe 2 O 4 has been used for several catalytic processes, such as methanol steam reforming, [22] photocatalytic degradation, [23] photocatalytic water splitting, [25] photoelectrochemical hydrogen evolution, [26] photoelectrochemical water oxidation, [27,28] as well as gas sensor material [29] or for protein separation. [30] A huge advantage is the easy recovery of the material due to its magnetic properties.…”

“…Additionally, most of these techniques yield large particle sizes, with inhomogeneous size distributions and low surface areas because of the high temperature requirements, which is often impedimental for catalytic performance. [22] To obtain nanosized or nanostructured particles, different strategies, such as hard templating, soft templating, or combustion synthesis, can be employed. [22,23,35] In contrast to solid-state synthesis, hydrothermal synthesis allows for the direct preparation of the cubic form.…”

“…[22] To obtain nanosized or nanostructured particles, different strategies, such as hard templating, soft templating, or combustion synthesis, can be employed. [22,23,35] In contrast to solid-state synthesis, hydrothermal synthesis allows for the direct preparation of the cubic form. [36] As an alternative, microwave-assisted syntheses allow for the preparation of spinel ferrite nanoparticles.…”