Mesoporous Nickel Ferrites
with Spinel Structure Prepared
by an Aerosol Spray Pyrolysis Method for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution
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Abstract
Submicron-sized
mesoporous nickel ferrite (NiFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub>) spheres
were prepared by an aerosol spray pyrolysis method using Pluronic
F127 as a structure-directing agent, and their photocatalytic performance
for hydrogen (H<sub>2</sub>) evolution was examined in an aqueous
MeOH solution by visible light irradiation (λ > 420 nm).
The
structure of the spherical mesoporous nickel ferrites was studied
by transmission electron microscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, and
N<sub>2</sub> adsorption–desorption isotherm measurements.
Mesoporous NiFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> spheres of high specific
surface area (278 m<sup>2</sup> g<sup>–1</sup>) with a highly
crystalline framework were prepared by adjusting the amount of structure-directing
agent and the calcining condition. High photocatalytic activity of
mesoporous NiFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> for H<sub>2</sub> evolution
from water with methanol was achieved due to the combination of high
surface area and high crystallinity of the nickel ferrites
