Comparison of catalytic activity of bismuth substituted cobalt ferrite nanoparticles synthesized by combustion and co-precipitation method

• Increase in lattice parameter is noted by the substitution of bismuth in cobalt ferrite.
• Combustion method is found to be better for the catalytic activity.
• Bismuth substitution decreases the band gap energy of cobalt ferrite.

In this study, cobalt ferrite and bismuth substituted cobalt ferrite (CoFe2−xBixO4x=0, 0.1) nanoparticles were synthesized by two different methods viz combustion and co-precipitation. The nanoparticles were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray analyzer (SEM-EDX) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The results of powder XRD pattern showed an increase in lattice parameter and decrease in particle size of cobalt ferrite by the substitution of bismuth. Catalytic activity of cobalt ferrite and bismuth substituted cobalt ferrite nanoparticles synthesized by two different methods were compared for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol using NaBH4 as a reducing agent.

Reduction of 4-NP conversion time in the absence of catalyst (WC) and in the presence of CoFe2−xBixO4 (x=0, 0.1).Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide