Comparative investigation of nickel aluminate (NiAl2O4) nano and microstructures for the structural, optical and catalytic properties

Nickel aluminate (NiAl2O4) nano and microstructures were synthesized by both microwave combustion method (MCM) and conventional combustion method (CCM) using aloe vera as the plant extract. The synthesized NiAl2O4 nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) studies, high resolution scanning electron microscopy (HR-SEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), and photoluminescence (PL) studies. The XRD results confirmed the formation of a cubic NiAl2O4. The formation of NiAl2O4 nano and microstructures were confirmed by HR-SEM and HR-TEM. The optical absorption and photoluminescence emissions were determined by DRS and PL spectra, respectively. The effect of catalyst and solvent on the catalytic oxidation of benzyl alcohol using the NiAl2O4 catalyst prepared by both CCM and MCM was also investigated.

This in morphology from nanoparticles from the conventional method to microwave method is clearly shown by HR-TEM. The particle size distribution histogram is shown in the inset of Fig. (a, b), it was observed that both the obtained nanoparticles were spherical like shape and the nanoparticle size is in the range (sample A and B) of 15–18 and 10–12 nm, respectively. The results from XRD suggested that the crystallite size for sample B is slightly lower than that of sample A. This is in good agreement with the results of XRD analysis.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide