MgFe[sub]2O[sub]4/CNTs nanocomposite : synthesis, characterization, and photocatalytic activity

Magnesium ferrite is a visible light absorber, and when combined with multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), it can lead to low electron–hole recombination rates, thus improving its photocatalytic activity. In this work, a novel MgFe2O4/CNTs nanocomposite catalyst has been synthesized via anchoring MgFe2O4 nanoparticles onto MWCNTs surface by a sol–gel and microwave-assisted route. The prepared catalyst was characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis and vibrating scanning magnetometry. MgFe2O4 nanoparticles showed a cubic inverse spinel ferrite structure, while MgFe2O4/CNTs nanohybrids showed combinations of both structures. Morphology studies including Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis confirmed a 40 m2 g−1 specific surface area with narrow mesoporous size distribution for the MgFe2O4/CNTs nanocomposite. The photocatalytic performance of the new catalyst was assessed by photodegradation of methylene blue (MB). The experimental results demonstrated that MgFe2O4/CNTs exhibited strong photocatalytic activity, catalysing the photooxidation of about 98% of MB in 25 min under sunlight

Batch oxidative desulfurization of model light gasoil over bimetallic nanocatalyst

This work explored the design and synthesis of a novel AgO/ZnO/HY-Zeolite bimetallic nanocatalyst by an impregnation method. The purpose of this nanocatalyst was to remove the dibenzothiophene as the primary sulfur content from a light gasoil model via a catalytic oxidative desulfurization process (ODS). The characteristics of the synthesized nanocatalyst were determined by FTIR, BET, SEM, and XRD. The synthesized nanocatalyst indicated an area of 252 m2g–1, pore volume and pore size equal to 0.221 cm3g–1 and 2.15 Ao, respectively. The ODS results revealed better sulfur conversion i.e. 91.8% conversion efficiency at optimal ODS reaction conditions. The results also indicated very good reusability of the synthesized catalyst after recycling five times