posted on 2014-11-03, 00:00authored byDachao Hong, Yusuke Yamada, Margaret Sheehan, Shinya Shikano, Chun-Hong Kuo, Ming Tian, Chia-Kuang Tsung, Shunichi Fukuzumi
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.