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

authored by

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.

Organisation(s)

Section Electrical Energy Storage Systems

External Organisation(s)

Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg

Type

Article

Journal

FUEL

Volume

359

No. of pages

9

ISSN

0016-2361

Publication date

01.03.2024

Publication status

Published

Peer reviewed

Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Chemical Engineering(all), Fuel Technology, Energy Engineering and Power Technology, Organic Chemistry

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy

Electronic version(s)

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2023.130429 (Access: Closed)