Mesoporous Nickel Ferrites with Spinel Structure Prepared by an Aerosol Spray Pyrolysis Method for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

摘要

Submicron-sized mesoporous nickel ferrite (NiFe2O4) spheres were prepared by an aerosol spray pyrolysis method using Pluronic F127 as a structure-directing agent, and their photocatalytic performance for hydrogen (H2) evolution was examined in an aqueous MeOH solution by visible light irradiation (λ > 420 nm). The structure of the spherical mesoporous nickel ferrites was studied by transmission electron microscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, and N2 adsorption-desorption isotherm measurements. Mesoporous NiFe2O4 spheres of high specific surface area (278 m2 g~(-1)) with a highly crystalline framework were prepared by adjusting the amount of structure-directing agent and the calcining condition. High photocatalytic activity of mesoporous NiFe2O4 for H2 evolution from water with methanol was achieved due to the combination of high surface area and high crystallinity of the nickel ferrites.