Abstract
In this research, we reported on the formation of highly porous foam SrTiO3/NiFe2O4 (100−xSTO/xNFO) heterostructure by joint solid-state and sol-gel auto-combustion techniques. The colloidal assembly process is discussed based on the weight ratio x (x = 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 wt %) of NiFe2O4 in the 100−xSTO/xNFO system. We proposed a mechanism describing the highly porous framework formation involving the self-assembly of SrTiO3 due to the gelation process of the nickel ferrite. We used a series of spectrophotometric techniques, including powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), N2 adsorption isotherms method, UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectra (UV-Vis DRS), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), and dielectric measurements, to investigate the structural, morphological, optical, magnetic, and dielectric properties of the synthesized samples. As revealed by FE-SEM analysis and textural characteristics, SrTiO3-NiFe2O4 nanocomposite self-assembled into a porous foam with an internally well-defined porous structure. HRTEM characterization certifies the distinctive crystalline phases obtained and reveals that SrTiO3 and NiFe2O4 nanoparticles were closely connected. The specific magnetization, coercivity, and permittivity values are higher in the 75STO/25NFO heterostructure and do not decrease proportionally to the amount of non-magnetic SrTiO3 present in the composition of samples.
Highlights
Nanomaterials such as nanoparticles, nanowires, nanotubes, nanorods, and quantum dots present unique optoelectronic, electrical, magnetic, and mechanical properties [1].The development of new strategies to assemble these nanomaterials into patterned heterostructures with multiple functionalities and tailored physical properties is an urgent need for application in nanotechnological devices
The results presented in this work aim to highlight a new topic and findings on the formation of the porous foam SrTiO3 /NiFe2 O4, heterostructure by joint solid-state reaction and sol-gel auto-combustion technique
The crystal structure and crystallinity of nanopowders, as pristine SrTiO3 and NiFe2 O4, as well as 75 STO/25 NFO porous-foam nanocomposite, were analyzed using X-ray diffraction analysis performed at room temperature in the 20–80◦ (2θ degree) range (Figure 1)
Summary
Nanomaterials such as nanoparticles, nanowires, nanotubes, nanorods, and quantum dots present unique optoelectronic, electrical, magnetic, and mechanical properties [1]. The results presented in this work aim to highlight a new topic and findings on the formation of the porous foam SrTiO3 /NiFe2 O4 (namely 100−x STO/x NFO), heterostructure by joint solid-state reaction and sol-gel auto-combustion technique. The rational synthesis presented in this study, with emphasis on the colloidal assembly of the attachment of the NiFe2 O4 particles in the presence of SrTiO3 , represents a step forward in reaching multifunctional properties. These advances are at the core of progress in photocatalytic applications, including water remediation (dyes and pharmaceutical drugs degradation) and especially in water splitting (photocatalytic generation of H2 ). Synthesized porous 75% SrTiO3 /25% NiFe2 O4 nanocomposite materials offer flexibility for integrating multiple functionalities such as catalytic activity, adsorption capacity, photocatalytic activity, and magnetic properties that make them attractive for applications in photocatalysis
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