A simple sol–gel method for the synthesis of Pt co-catalyzed spinel-type CuFe₂O₄ for hydrogen production

the role of crystallinity and band gap energy

verfasst von

Mohammed Ismael, Michael Wark

Abstract

In this investigation, spinel-type copper ferrites (CuFe₂O₄) at different calcination temperatures (600–900 °C) were produced using a facile citric acid-assisted sol–gel method. The crystal structure, morphology, optical, and electrical properties of the as synthesized photocatalysts were comprehensively characterized. XRD and UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectra (UV–vis (DRS)) showed that the phase structure and the band gap energy of the copper ferrite are strongly correlated to the applied calcination temperature. TEM results investigated that the copper ferrites calcined at higher temperatures presented large particle sizes and crystallized very well. In addition, the photocatalytic activity was tested for hydrogen production in the presence of methanol, with and without Pt nanoparticles as a cocatalyst. The results indicated that the CuFe₂O₄ annealed at 900 °C (CuF-900) has higher hydrogen production activity than photocatalysts calcined at lower temperatures in the presence and absence of Pt, which is mainly assigned to the higher crystallinity, and narrower bandgap energy. Moreover, this study explained in more detail the role of Pt nanoparticles in enhancing the photocatalytic activity of CuF-900. This work introduces a new direction of thinking for the tetragonal phase structure as an efficient photocatalyst for hydrogen production.

Organisationseinheit(en)

Fachgebiet Elektrische Energiespeichersysteme

Externe Organisation(en)

Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg

Typ

Artikel

Journal

FUEL

Band

359

Anzahl der Seiten

9

ISSN

0016-2361

Publikationsdatum

01.03.2024

Publikationsstatus

Veröffentlicht

Peer-reviewed

Ja

ASJC Scopus Sachgebiete

Chemische Verfahrenstechnik (insg.), Feuerungstechnik, Energieanlagenbau und Kraftwerkstechnik, Organische Chemie

Ziele für nachhaltige Entwicklung

SDG 7 – Erschwingliche und saubere Energie

Elektronische Version(en)

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2023.130429 (Zugang: Geschlossen)