Low temperature preparation, characterization, magnetic measurements, thermal, optical, morphological and photo-catalytic properties of nano-size single phase nickel ferrite NiFe2O4

Abstract

Low temperature preparation, characterization, magnetic measurements, thermal, optical, morphological and photo-catalytic properties of nano-size single phase NiFe2O4 are reported. The nano-size single phase NiFe2O4 powders were characterized by thermogravimetric (TG) and derivative thermogravimetric (DTG) analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectra (UV–Vis DRS) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) techniques. The XRD results of the powder samples showed that nano-size single phase nickel ferrite, NiFe2O4 were formed using the nitrate precursors and citric acid at relatively low annealing temperature of 600 °C. The TG–DTG results of the nitrate precursors showed that the major weight loss occurred below 400 °C. The crystallite size of nano-size single phase nickel ferrite, NiFe2O4 was 38 nm. FTIR results showed the iron–oxygen and titanium–oxygen vibration at 410 and 590 cm−1, respectively. The VSM results of the samples showed magnetization of Ms of 51.3 emu/g. Nano-size single phase nickel ferrite showed a wide absorbance in the visible light and therefore a photocatalytic activity for degradation of C.I. Direct Blue 71 as a triazo textile dye in water.