Optimization of catalytic, surface and magnetic properties of nanocrystalline manganese ferrite

The fuel to cations ratio of 2.67 gives better yield in the formation of nanocrystalline Mn ferrite and single-domain particles with a narrow range of size distribution. Maximum magnetization and coercivity values of the investigated ferrite are also greater for the ratio of 2.67. These values measured at room temperature are found to be 68.58 emu/g and 62.57 Oe, respectively. The BET surface area of the investigated solids was found to decrease by increasing the ratio between fuel and cations due to increasing the flame temperature. However, this treatment resulted in a significant increase in catalytic activity of the as-synthesized solids. All solids investigated behaved as dehydrogenation catalysts. The change in fuel/cations ratios did not alter the mechanism of dehydrogenation of cyclohexene, but increased the concentration of active sites involved in the catalyzed reaction.