Magnetic and Catalytic Properties of Cu0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 Nanocrystallite Powders

Abstract

Cu0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 nanocrystallite powders (average size 13 nm) were synthesized from Cu–Zn spent catalyst (fertilizers) industries and ferrous sulfate wastes formed during iron and steel making. Cu–Zn catalyst (22.4% Cu and 26.4% Zn) was chemically treated with sulfuric acid at temperature 80 °C for 1 hr for the complete dissolving of copper and zinc into sulfate solution, then the produced solution was mixed with stoichiometric ratio of ferrous sulfate and the mixture was chemically precipitated as hydroxides followed by hydrothermal processing. The parameters affecting the magnetic properties and crystallite size of the produced ferrites powder e.g., temperature, time, and pH were systemically studied. X-ray diffraction analysis was used in order to determine the average crystallite size and phase identifications of the produced powder. The magnetic properties were studied by vibrating sample magnetometry. The results showed that the average crystallite size of the powder decreased for the ferrites powder formed at 150 °C and then increased by increasing the temperature to 200 °C. Interestingly, the saturation magnetization (Bs), remanent magnetization (Br) and coercive force (Hc) were 25.03 emu/g, 0.71 emu/g, and 4.83 Oe, respectively at hydrothermal temperature 150 °C for 24 hr and changed to 16.38 emu/g, 0.3864 emu/g, and 5.2 Oe at 150 °C and 72 hr. The produced nanoferrite powders are used for studying the catalytic activity of CO conversion to CO2 at different temperatures, pH and times. The maximum conversion (82%) is obtained at temperature 150 °C for 24 hrs and pH 12.