Physical and photo-electrochemical properties of MgFe2O4 prepared by sol gel route: application to the photodegradation of methylene blue

Abstract

The spinel MgFe2O4 synthesized by sol gel method, was characterized by physical and electrochemical methods. The thermal analysis (TG) gives an optimal synthesis temperature of 650 °C where the X-ray diffraction pattern exhibits a single phase crystallizing in a cubic symmetry (Space Group: Fd\(\stackrel{-}{3}\)m) with spherical crystallites (~ 0.45 µm). The morphology observed through the SEM image shows elliptical and spherical grains of ~ 0.8 µm. The spinel possesses a direct optical transition (2.16 eV) due to electrons transfer Fe3+: d−d transition, coming from the crystal field splitting in agreement with the red color. The low electrons mobility is assigned to a narrow conduction band of Fe3+: 3d parentage with activation energy (0.14 eV) in conformity with a conduction mechanism by small polaron hopping. The semi-logarithmic plot confirms the chemical stability of oxide. Unlike other spinels, the capacitance plot exhibits n type conduction confirmed by chrono-amperometry with a flat band potential (Efb) of 0.27 V. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy displays a semi-circle attributed to the bulk behavior. As application, the photodegradation of methylene blue (10 mg L− 1) was successfully on the spinel suspension; 87% are eliminated after 2 h of exposure to sunlight irradiation.