ZrxCo0.8−xNi0.2−xFe2O4-graphene nanocomposite for enhanced structural,dielectric and visible light photocatalytic applications

Zirconium doped nickel cobalt ferrite (Zr_xCo_0.8−xNi_0.2−xFe₂O₄) nanoparticles and Zr_xCo_0.8−xNi_0.2−xFe₂O₄-graphene nanocomposites were synthesized by a cheap and facile co-precipitation method. Annealing was done at 750 °C for 6.5 h. Spinel cubic structure of prepared nanoparticles was confirmed by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) technique. Crystalline size of nanoparticles was observed in the range of 18–27 nm. Graphene was synthesized by Hummer's method. Formation of rGO was confirmed by UV-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis) and XRD. Zr_xCo_0.8−xNi_0.2−xFe₂O₄-graphene nanocomposites were prepared by ultra-sonication route. Grain size of nanoparticles and dispersion of nanoparticles between rGO layers was determined by Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In application studies of nanoparticles and their nanocomposites, photocatalytic efficiency of nanoparticles under visible light irradiation was observed by degradation of methylene blue. Charge transfer resistance was measured by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and the variation in dc electrical resistivity was analyzed by room temperature current voltage characteristics (I-V). Dielectric constant was also evaluated in frequency range from 1 MHz to 3 GHz. All these investigations confirmed the possible utilization of these materials for a variety of applications such as visible light photocatalysis, high frequency devices fabrication etc.     

Copper substituted nickel ferrite nanoparticles anchored onto the graphene sheets as electrode materials for supercapacitors fabrication

Nickel ferrites with high theoretical capacitance value as compared to the other metal oxides have been applied as electrode material for energy storage devices i.e. batteries and supercapacitors. High tendency towards aggregation and less specific surface area make the metal oxides poor candidate for electrochemical applications. Therefore, the improvements in the electrochemical properties of nickel ferrites (NiFe₂O₄) are required. Here, we report the synthesis of graphene nano-sheets decorated with spherical copper substituted nickel ferrite nanoparticles for supercapacitors electrode fabrication. The copper substituted and unsubstituted NiFe₂O₄ nanoparticles were prepared via wet chemical co-precipitation route. Reduced graphene oxide (rGO) was prepared via well-known Hummer's method. After structural characterization of both ferrite (Ni_1-xCu_xFe₂O₄) nanoparticles and rGO, the ferrite particles were decorated onto the graphene sheets to obtain Ni_1-xCu_xFe₂O₄@rGO nanocomposites. The confirmation of preparation of these nanocomposites was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The electrochemical measurements of nanoparticles and their nanocomposites (Ni_0.9Cu_0.1Fe₂O₄@rGO) confirmed that the nanocomposites due to highly conductive nature and relatively high surface area showed better capacitive behavior as compared to bare nanoparticles. This enhanced electrochemical energy storage properties of nanocomposites were attributed to the graphene and also supported by electrical (I-V) measurements. The cyclic stability experiments results showed ~65% capacitance retention after 1000 cycles. However this retention was enhanced from 65% to 75% for the copper substituted nanoparticles (Ni_0.9Cu_0.1Fe₂O₄) and 65–85% for graphene based composites. All this data suggest that these nanoparticles and their composites can be utilized for supercapacitors electrodes fabrication.     

Effect of bimetallic (Ni and Co) substitution on magnetic properties of MnFe2O4 nanoparticles

Nickel and cobalt substituted manganese ferrite nanoparticles (NPs) with the chemical composition Ni_xCo_xMn_1–2xFe₂O₄ (0.0≤x≤0.5) NPs were synthesized by one-pot microwave combustion route. The effect of co-substitution (Ni, Co) on structural, morphological and magnetic properties of MnFe₂O₄ NPs was investigated using XRD, FT-IR, SEM, VSM and Mössbauer spectroscopic techniques. The cation distribution of all products were also calculated. Both XRD and FT-IR analyses confirmed the synthesis of single phase spinel cubic product for all the substitutions. Lattice constant decreases with the increase in concentration of both Co and Ni in the products. From ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy data, the variations in line width, isomer shift, quadrupole splitting and hyperfine magnetic field values with Mn²⁺, Ni²⁺ and Co²⁺ substitution have been determined. While the Mössbauer spectra collected at room temperature for the all samples are composed of magnetic sextets, the superparamagnetic doublet is also formed for MnFe₂O₄ and Ni_0.2Co_0.2Mn_0.6Fe₂O₄ NPs. The magnetization and Mössbauer measurements verify that MnFe₂O₄ and Ni_0.2Co_0.2Mn_0.6Fe₂O₄ NPs have superparamagnetic character. The saturation and remanence magnetizations, magnetic moment and coercive field were determined for all the samples. Room temperature VSM measurements reveals saturation magnetization value close to the bulk one. It has been observed that the saturation magnetization and coercive field increase with respect to the Ni and Co concentrations.     

High-performance inductive couplers based on novel Ce3+ and Co2+ ions co-doped Ni-Zn ferrites

High-performance inductive couplers require Ni-Zn ferrites of high saturation magnetization, Curie temperature, permeability and application frequency. However, for inductive couplers some of these properties run against each other in one ferrite. To balance these requirements, in this work, novel Ni-Zn ferrite ceramics co-doped by Ce³⁺ and Co²⁺ ions with chemical formula Ni_0.4Zn_0.5Co_0.1Ce_xFe_2-xO₄ (x = 0–0.06) were designed and fabricated by a molten salt method. For the acquired ferrites, both Ce³⁺ and Co²⁺ ions could come into the lattices. The initially doped Co²⁺ ions would cause a slightly decreased grain size and dramatically reduced the specimen densification, but the further added Ce³⁺ ions could effectively inhibit the density reduction, while the grain size continues to dwindle. The additional Ce³⁺ ions would generate a foreign CeO₂ phase in the acquired specimens. The sole doping of Co²⁺ ions would aggrandize the saturation magnetization of ferrites, but the introduction of Ce³⁺ ions would cause its decrease. However, with an appropriate doping level, the Ce³⁺ and Co²⁺ ions co-doped ferrites could preserve a relatively high saturation magnetization, while the Curie temperature and cut-off frequency of the ferrites are dramatically augmented, although the permeability would be somewhat reduced. The as-acquired ferrites were simulated to apply in inductive couplers, revealing that the devices manufactured by the Ni_0.4Zn_0.5Co_0.1Ce_xFe_2-xO₄ ferrites had significantly high maximum operating frequency, compared with that of the one manufactured by pure Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ ferrite.     

Tuning Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3-δ cathode to high stability and activity via Ce-doping for ceramic fuel cells

Ba_0.5Sr_0.5Co_0.8Fe_0.2O_3-δ (BSCF) fuel-cell cathode stands out because of its ultrahigh ionic conductivity and excellent electrocatalytic activity, but it is still very subject to instability. Here, a new strategy of Ce doping is proposed to boost the stability and activity of the BSCF cathode. A one-pot combustion method is employed to synthesize (Ba_0.5Sr_0.5)_1–xCe_xCo_0.8Fe_0.2O_3-δ (x=0–0.2) cathodes. Both BSCF and (Ba_0.5Sr_0.5)_0.9Ce_0.1Co_0.8Fe_0.2O_3-δ have a cubic perovskite structure. (Ba_0.5Sr_0.5)_0.8Ce_0.2Co_0.8Fe_0.2O_3-δ shows two phases of cubic perovskite and fluorite ceria. Proper Ce doping can boost the electrical conductivity of BSCF, and can dramatically reduce the polarization resistance of BSCF cathode. Ce doping significantly improved BSCF cathode long-term stability by 160 h. Moreover, ten-percent Ce doping in BSCF highly improves single-cell output performance from 516.33 mW cm^?2 to 629.75 mW cm^?2 at 750 °C. The results reveal that Ce doping as a potential strategy for enhancing the stability and activity of BSCF cathode is promising.     

Influence of doping on magnetic and electromagnetic properties of spinel ferrites

In this study, spinel Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ doped with transition metal ions as well as rare-earth ions Ni_0.4Zn_0.4M′_0.2Fe₂O₄ (M′ = Cu, Dy, Gd and Lu) and M″_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ (M″ = Ni, Mn and Co) are developed using the sol-gel auto-combustion route, and the role of substitution on electromagnetic properties is investigated. The powder X-ray diffraction accompanied by Rietveld refinement signifies a single-phase spinel ferrite that belongs to Fd-3m space group for all the compositions. Rietveld refinement confirms that doped Cu²⁺, Dy³⁺, Gd³⁺ and Lu³⁺ ions are at random distribution between spinel tetrahedral and spinel octahedral sites against their preferential occupancy. The saturation magnetisation (M_S) of Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ (M_S = 50.5 emu/g) increased with partial doping showing M_S = 60.08 emu/g for transition-metal doped Ni_0.4Zn_0.4Cu_0.2Fe₂O₄ and M_S = 109.7 emu/g for rare-earth doped Ni_0.4Zn_0.4Dy_0.2Fe₂O₄, which was the highest among all the doped compositions. Doping enhances the dielectric permittivity of Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ from 4.2 to 6.5 for Ni_0.4Zn_0.4Cu_0.2Fe₂O₄ and 7.7 for Ni_0.4Zn_0.4Dy_0.2Fe₂O₄. Further, the reflection coefficient (R_L) of all the doped compositions of Ni_0.4Zn_0.4M′_0.2Fe₂O₄ (M′ = Cu, Dy, Gd and Lu) was less than −8 dB (85% absorption) throughout the frequency band of 8–12 GHz with an optimum material thickness of 3.5 mm. Transition metal ion doped Ni_0.4Zn_0.4Cu_0.2Fe₂O₄ resulted in further improvement of its absorption characteristics of the incident EM waves with reflection coefficient (R_L) less than −10 dB (between 84.15% and 90%) between 10 and 12 GHz at a material thickness of 3.5 mm in the X-band frequency range.     

(BaTiO3)1-x + (Co0.5Ni0.5Nb0.06Fe1.94O4)x nanocomposites: Structure,morphology, magnetic and dielectric properties

Two phase-based nanocomposites consisting of dielectric barium titanate (BaTiO₃ or BTO) and magnetic spinel ferrite Co_0.5Ni_0.5Nb_0.06Fe_1.94O₄ (CNNFO) have been synthesized through solid state route. Series of (BaTiO₃)_1-x + (Co_0.5Ni_0.5Nb_0.06Fe_1.94O₄)_x nanocomposites with x content of 0.00, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1.00 were considered. The structure has been examined via X-rays diffraction (XRD) and indicated the occurrence of both perovskite BTO and spinel CNNFO phases in various nanocomposites. A phase transition from tetragonal BTO structure to cubic structure occurs with inclusion of CNNFO phase. The average crystallites size of BTO phase decreases, whereas that for the CNNFO phase increases with increasing x in various nanocomposites. The morphological observations revealed that the porosity is highly reduced, and the connectivity between grains is enhanced with increasing x content. The optical properties have been investigated by UV−vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The deduced band gap energy (E_g) value is found to reduce with increasing the content of spinel ferrite phase. The magnetic as well as the dielectric properties were also investigated. The analysis showed that CNNFO ferrite phase greatly affects the magnetic properties and dielectric response of BTO material. The obtained findings can be useful to enhance the performances of magneto-dielectric composite-based systems.     

Processing and characterization of nano-magnetic Co0.5Ni0.5Fe2O4 system

Various techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared (IR) spectroscopy, scanning electron micrographs (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) were used to investigate the structural, morphological, and magnetic properties of spinel Co_0.5Ni_0.5Fe₂O₄ system. XRD and IR analyses enabled us to determine the functional group and structural parameters of Co_0.5Ni_0.5Fe₂O₄. EDX measurements showed the concentrations of O, Ni, Fe, and Co species involved in Co_0.5Ni_0.5Fe₂O₄ specimen from the uppermost surface to the bulk layers. The magnetization and coercivity of the as synthesized composite were 77 emu/g and 128 Oe, respectively.     

Zirconium substituted spinel nano-ferrite Mg0.2Co0.8Fe2O4 particles and their hybrids with reduced graphene oxide for photocatalytic and other potential applications

Zirconium substituted magnesium cobalt ferrite (Zr_xMg_0.2-xCo_0.8-xFe₂O₄) nanoparticles and their nano-heterostructures with graphene were synthesized by co-precipitation and ultra-sonication route respectively. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopic (SEM) analysis was done to study the effect of Zr⁴⁺ substitution on structural properties, surface morphology, dielectric and current-voltage properties of nanoparticles. The crystallite size of nanoparticles was found in the range of 23–28 nm. XRD pattern analysis confirmed the spinel structure of nanoparticles. Graphene synthesized by modified Hummer's method was utilized as substrate to prepare the heterostructures with ferrite particles. Dispersion of nanoparticles on the surface of rGO sheets was confirmed by SEM analysis. Enhanced photocatalytic activity of nanoparticles and graphene based nano-heterostructures was observed under visible light irradiation. During the current-voltage measurements, decrease in electrical resistivity of nanoparticles was observed. Dielectric measurements were performed within the frequency range 1 MHz–3 GHz. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was done to evaluate the kinetic parameters and charge-transfer resistance (R_ct) at electrode interface. Enhanced photocatalytic applications, suggested that Zr_xMg_0.2-xCo_0.8-xFe₂O₄ nanoparticles and graphene based nano-heterostructures can be used for degradation of various organic based pollutants in drinking water.     

Hierarchical spinel NixCo1-xFe2O4 microcubes derived from Fe-based MOF for high-sensitive acetone sensor

Hierarchically spinel Ni_xCo_1-xFe₂O₄ (0.0?≤?x?≤?0.5) microcubes were successfully prepared through a combined solvent evaporation strategy and morphology-inherited annealing treatment. By using the Fe-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), Fe₄(Fe(CN)₆)₃, and inorganic Ni²⁺and Co²⁺ acetate salts as co-templated precursors, hierarchical Ni-doped spinel CoFe₂O₄ architecture can be obtained, and the Ni/Co substitution ratios can be controlled systematically. The obtained cubic hierarchical Ni_xCo_1-xFe₂O₄, (0.0?≤?x?≤?0.5) composites presented highly acetone sensing properties, among which the Ni_0.1Co_0.9Fe₂O₄ composite showed the strongest response performance (with gas response (R_g/R_a) of 1.67 at 240?°C) and excellent reproducibility (for at least 14 cycles), and the proposed acetone sensing mechanism was also discussed. The presented solvent evaporation and co-templated strategy may allow precisely access to fabricating other heteroatom doped inorganic materials with intriguing morphologies, architectures, chemical compositions and tunable sensing properties.     

Cation distribution and magnetic analysis of wideband microwave absorptive CoxNi1−xFe2O4 ferrites

Co_xNi_1−xFe₂O₄ ferrites (x=0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1) were prepared by a sol-gel auto-combustion method. The samples were structurally characterized by X-ray diffractometry (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The XRD patterns confirmed single phase formation of spinel structure. Cation distribution estimated from XRD data suggested the mixed spinel structure of ferrite. The EDX analysis was in good agreement with the nominal composition. The results of FTIR analysis indicated that the functional groups of Co-Ni spinel ferrite were formed during the combustion process. According to FE-SEM micrographs, by addition of cobalt ion the average particle size of substituted nickel ferrite was gradually became smaller from 450 nm to 280 nm. Magnetic measurement using vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) showed an increase in saturation magnetization and coercivity by Co²⁺ substitution in nickel ferrite. For Co_0.8Ni_0.2Fe₂O₄ sample, M_s and H_c reaches as high as 93 emu/g and 420 Oe, respectively. The reflection loss properties of the nanocomposites were investigated in the frequency range of 8–12 GHz, using vector network analyzer (VNA). Cobalt substitution could enhance reflection loss of NiFe₂O₄ ferrite. The maximum reflection loss value of the Co²⁺ substituted Ni ferrite was ~ −26 dB (i.e. over 99% absorption) at 9.7 GHz with bandwidth of 4 GHz (RL<– 10 dB) through the entire frequency range of X-band.     

FexCo0.5−xNi0.5-SDC anodes for low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells

Trimetal alloys, Fe_xCo_0.5−xNi_0.5 (x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.4), were studied as anodes for low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (LT-SOFCs) based on GDC (Ce_0.9Gd_0.1O_1.95) electrolytes. The alloys were formed by in situ reduction of Fe_xCo_0.5−xNi_0.5O_y composites, which were synthesized using a glycine-nitrate technique. Symmetrical cells consisted of Fe_xCo_0.5−xNi_0.5-SDC electrodes and GDC electrolytes, and single cells consisted of Fe_xCo_0.5−xNi_0.5-SDC (Ce_0.8Sm_0.2O_1.9) anodes, GDC electrolytes, and SSC (Sm_0.5Sr_0.5CoO₃)-SDC cathodes were prepared using a co-pressing and co-firing process. Interfacial polarization resistances and I-V curves of these cells were measured at temperature from 450 to 600 °C. With Fe_0.25Co_0.25Ni_0.5-SDC as anodes, the cells showed the lowest interfacial resistance and highest power density. For example, at 600 °C, the resistance was about 0.11 Ω cm² and power density was about 750 mW cm⁻² when humidified (3% H₂O) hydrogen was used as fuel and stationary air as oxidant. Further, the cell performance was improved when the molar ratio of Fe:Co:Ni approached 1:1:2, i.e. Fe_0.25Co_0.25Ni_0.5. In addition, higher power density and lower interfacial resistance were obtained for cells with the Fe_0.25Co_0.25Ni_0.5-SDC anodes comparing to that with Ni-SDC anodes, which have been usually used for LT-SOFCs. The promising performance of Fe_xCo_0.5−xNi_0.5 as anodes suggests that trimetallic anodes are worth considering for SOFCs that operate at low-temperature.     

Facile synthesis of Co0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 nanoparticles decorated reduced graphene oxide hybrid nanocomposites with enhanced electromagnetic wave absorption properties

Herein, reduced graphene oxide/cobalt-zinc ferrite (RGO/Co_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄) hybrid nanocomposites were fabricated by a facile hydrothermal strategy. Results revealed that the contents of RGO could affect the micromorphology, electromagnetic parameters and electromagnetic wave absorption properties. As the contents of RGO increased in the as-synthesized hybrid nanocomposites, the dispersibility of the particles was improved. Meanwhile, numerously ferromagnetic Co_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ particles were evenly anchored on the wrinkled surfaces of flaky RGO. Besides, the obtained hybrid nanocomposites exhibited superior electromagnetic absorption in both X and Ku bands, which was achieved by adjusting the RGO contents and matching thicknesses. Significantly, when the content of RGO was 7.4 wt%, the binary nanocomposites showed the optimal reflection loss of -73.9 dB at a thickness of 2.2 mm and broadest effective absorption bandwidth of 6.0 GHz (12.0–18.0 GHz) at a thin thickness of merely 2.0 mm. The enhanced electromagnetic absorption performance was primarily attributed to the multiple polarization effects, improved conduction loss caused by electron migration, and magnetic loss derived from ferromagnetic Co_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ nanoparticles. Our results could provide inspiration for manufacturing graphene-based hybrid nanocomposites as high-efficient electromagnetic wave absorbers.     

Preparation of pod-like 3D Ni0.33Co0.67Fe2O4@rGO composites and their microwave absorbing properties

The ferrite/reduced graphene oxide (rGO) composites have attracted increasing attention due to the combination of the dielectric loss of rGO and the magnetic loss of ferrites. In this paper, pod-like 3D Ni_0.33Co_0.67Fe₂O₄@rGO composites were prepared using a solvothermal reaction followed by cold quenching. The structures and morphologies of as obtained composites were characterized using X-ray diffractometer, Raman microscope, photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope. The Ni_0.33Co_0.67Fe₂O₄ microspheres with a diameter of 100–150?nm were wrapped in rGO rolls due to the shrinkage of rGO in liquid nitrogen. The rGO sheets with ferrite microspheres wrapped in form the pod-like 3D network morphology. The minimum reflection loss of as-prepared composites reaches ?47.5?dB and the absorption bandwidth (RL<?10?dB) is 5.02?GHz. The composites show much better absorbing performances than pure Ni_0.33Co_0.67Fe₂O₄ microspheres and Ni_0.33Co_0.67Fe₂O₄-rGO mixture formed by mechanically blending of cold quenched pure rGO and ferrite microspheres.     

One-step hydrothermal synthesis and enhanced microwave absorption properties of Ni0.5Co0.5Fe2O4/graphene composites in low frequency band

Ni_0.5Co_0.5Fe₂O₄/graphene composites were synthesized successfully via one-step hydrothermal method. The crystal structure, morphology and corresponding elemental distribution, electromagnetic parameters and microwave absorption performances of the as-prepared composites were measured by XRD, SEM, TEM and VNA, respectively. The results indicated that the microwave absorbing performance can be obviously enhanced through the addition of graphene in a suitable range, the magnetic loss plays a dominant contribution for the microwave absorption of composites. The maximum reflection loss of ?30.92?dB at 0.84?GHz with a ?10?dB bandwidth over the frequency range of 0.58–1.19?GHz is obtained when the composite contains 12?wt% graphene and the thickness of sample is 4?mm. This investigation presents a simple method to prepare Ni_0.5Co_0.5Fe₂O₄/graphene composites with excellent microwave absorption performance in the low frequency band of 0.1–3?GHz.     

Magneto-optical properties of rare earth metals substituted Co-Zn spinel nanoferrites

Cobalt–zinc ferrite nanoparticles (NPs) substituted with three different metals, Co_0.5Zn_0.5Re_xFe_2-xO₄ (RE = Ce, Dy, and Y; 0.00?≤?x?≤?0.05) were prepared hydrothermally. Fourier Transform-Infrared (FT-IR) Spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Field-Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and Vibrating Sample Magnetometry (VSM) analyzed the products. The formation of cubic phase of spinel Co-Zn ferrite NPs were confirmed through XRD, FT-IR and FE-SEM techniques. The structural investigation of NPs by XRD revealed that the lattice parameter "a" decreases with the introduction of the RE in the ferrite structure by the substitution of Fe³⁺ by RE ions. The different magnetic parameters of Co_0.5Zn_0.5Re_xFe_2-xO₄ (RE = Ce, Dy, and Y; 0.00?≤?x?≤?0.05) NPs such as the saturation magnetization, coercivity, remanence, and magnetic moment were calculated and discussed in relation to structure and microstructure properties. M (H) hysteresis curves indicated that the samples exhibit superparamagnetic nature at room temperature. A slight improvement in the magnetization was obtained especially for the Ce- and Y-substituted Co_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ (CZF) NPs at a certain RE level. However, the case Dy-substituted CZF products showed a sharp decrease in the magnetization with x?>?0.01. The results are mostly ascribed to the substitution of smaller Fe³⁺ ions with larger RE³⁺ ions.     

Preparation of magnetically separable Cu6/7Co1/7Fe2O4–graphene catalyst and its application in selective reduction of nitroarenes

A magnetically separable and highly active Co–Cu mixed spinel catalyst, Cu_6/7Co_1/7Fe₂O₄–graphene (Cu_6/7Co_1/7Fe₂O₄–G), was fabricated by a hydrothermal method. The results demonstrated that the Cu_6/7Co_1/7Fe₂O₄–G possessed excellent catalytic activity for the reduction of a broad range of nitroarenes in the presence of NaBH₄. The composite catalyst was efficient, stable, low-cost and could be easily recovered due to its magnetic separability.     

Structural,spectral, dielectric and photocatalytic studies of Zr-Ni doped MnFe2O4 co-precipitated nanoparticles

In this study the Mn_1–2xZr_xFe_2−yNi_yO₄ nanoparticles fabricated by co-precipitation technique were investigated. Thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) exhibited the annealing temperature of the nanoparticles ~990 °C. Cubic spinel structure of Mn_1–2xZr_xFe_2−yNi_yO₄ nanoparticles was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis. Crystallite size was calculated by XRD data and found in the range of 32–58 nm. Photocatalytic activity of Mn_0.92Zr_0.04Fe_1.88Ni_0.12O₄/graphene nanocomposites was tested by degrading methylene blue (MB) under visible light irradiation. The MB was almost completely degraded in the presence of Mn_0.92Zr_0.04Fe_1.88Ni_0.12O₄-graphene nanocomposites under visible light irradiation. Dielectric parameters were also investigated in the frequency range 1×10⁶–3×10⁹ Hz. An overall decrease in the values of dielectric constant, dielectric loss and tangent loss was observed on account of the substitution of Zr and Ni with Mn and Fe cations.     

Achieving ultra-high electromagnetic wave absorption by anchoring Co0.33Ni0.33Mn0.33Fe2O4 nanoparticles on graphene sheets using microwave-assisted polyol method

The Co_0.33Ni_0.33Mn_0.33Fe₂O₄/graphene nanocomposite for electromagnetic wave absorption was successfully synthesized from metal chlorides solutions and graphite powder by a simple and rapid microwave-assisted polyol method via anchoring the Co_0.33Ni_0.33Mn_0.33Fe₂O₄ nanoparticles on the layered graphene sheets. The Fe³⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺ and Mn²⁺ ions in the solutions were attracted by graphene oxide obtained from graphite and converted to the precursors Fe(OH)₃, Co(OH)₂, Ni(OH)₂, and Mn(OH)₂ under slightly alkaline conditions. After the transformations of the precursors to Co-Ni-Mn ferrites and conversion of graphene oxide to graphene under microwave irradiation at 170?°C in just 25?min, the Co_0.33Ni_0.33Mn_0.33Fe₂O₄/graphene nanocomposite was prepared. The composition and structure of the nanocomposite were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), inductive coupled plasma emission spectroscopy (ICP), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Raman spectroscopy (RS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), etc. It was found that with the filling ratio of only 20?wt% and the thickness of 2.3?mm, the nanocomposite showed an ultra-wide effective absorption bandwidth (less than ?10?dB) of 8.48?GHz (from 9.52 to 18.00?GHz) with the minimum reflection loss of ??24.29?dB. Compared to pure graphene sheets, Co_0.33Ni_0.33Mn_0.33Fe₂O₄ nanoparticles and the counterparts reported in literature, the nanocomposite exhibited much better electromagnetic wave absorption, mainly attributed to strong wave attenuation, as a result of synergistic effects of dielectric loss, conductive loss and magnetic loss, and to good impedance matching. In view of its thin thickness, light weight and outstanding electromagnetic wave absorption property, the nanocomposite could be used as a very promising electromagnetic wave absorber.     

Nanocrystalline/Nanosized Ni1−γFe2+γO4 Ferrite Obtained by Contamination with Fe During Milling of NiO–Fe2O3 Mixture. Structural and Magnetic Characterization

The nanocrystalline nickel ferrite (NiFe₂O₄) was synthesized by reactive milling starting from equimolar mixture of oxides. The iron contamination during milling leads to a solid state reaction between Fe and NiFe₂O₄ spinel. This reaction starts for a milling time longer than 30 h. A mixed nickel–iron ferrite (Ni_1?γFe_2+γO₄) and elemental Ni are obtained. The evolution of the nickel–iron mixed ferrite during milling and its properties were investigated using X‐ray diffraction, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Laser Particles Size Analyzer and magnetic measurements. Annealing treatment (350°C/4 h in vacuum) is favorable to the reaction between phases. Replacement of Ni²⁺ cations by iron cations provided by contamination leads to the increase of lattice parameter value of the spinel structure. The magnetization of the nickel–iron mixed ferrite newly formed is larger than the nickel ferrite magnetization (13.6 μ_B/f.u. and 6.22 μ_B/f.u., respectively), due to the magnetic moment of Fe²⁺ cation which is double as compared to the Ni²⁺ cation. Magnetization of the milled samples decreases during milling due to the structural changes induced by milling in the nickel–iron mixed ferrite. The annealing induces a reordering of the cations which leads to a larger magnetization.