Flash microwave synthesis of trevorite nanoparticles

Nickel ferrite nanoparticles have several possible applications as cathode materials for rechargeable batteries, named “lithium-ion” batteries. In this study, NiFe₂O₄ was prepared by microwave induced thermohydrolysis. The obtained nanoparticles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), BET method, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). All the results show that the microwave one-step flash synthesis leads in a very short time to NiFe₂O₄ nanoparticles with elementary particles size close to 4-5 nm, and high specific surfaces (close to 240 m²/g). Thus, microwave heating appears as an efficient source of energy to produce quickly nanoparticles with complex composition as ferrite.