Fabrication and electrochemical performance of nickel ferrite nanoparticles as anode material in lithium ion batteries

Nano-sized nickel ferrite (NiFe₂O₄) was prepared by hydrothermal method at low temperature. The crystalline phase, morphology and specific surface area (BET) of the resultant samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and nitrogen physical adsorption, respectively. The particle sizes of the resulting NiFe₂O₄ samples were in the range of 5–15 nm. The electrochemical performance of NiFe₂O₄ nanoparticles as the anodic material in lithium ion batteries was tested. It was found that the first discharge capacity of the anode made from NiFe₂O₄ nanoparticles could reach a very high value of 1314 mAh g⁻¹, while the discharge capacity decreased to 790.8 mAh g⁻¹ and 709.0 mAh g⁻¹ at a current density of 0.2 mA cm⁻² after 2 and 3 cycles, respectively. The BET surface area is up to 111.4 m² g⁻¹. The reaction mechanism between lithium and nickel ferrite was also discussed based on the results of cycle voltammetry (CV) experiments.     

Enhanced catalytic activity of composites of NiFe2O4 and nano cellulose derived from waste biomass for the mitigation of organic pollutants

This study reports facile in situ synthesis of magnetically retrievable nanocomposites of nanocellulose (derived from waste biomass) and NiFe₂O₄ nanoparticles using hydrothermal method. The synthesized nanocomposites were characterized using various techniques such as FT-IR, powder XRD, HR-TEM, BET and VSM. The characterization of nanocomposites clearly revealed that NiFe₂O₄ nanoparticles were well dispersed on the surface of cellulose nanofibres. The catalytic performance of the synthesized nanocomposites was assessed for both the photocatalytic oxidation and reduction of organic pollutants. The prepared nanocomposites displayed excellent catalytic performance in comparison to pristine NiFe₂O₄ nanoparticles due to stabilization and increased dispersability of NiFe₂O₄ nanoparticles on the cellulose matrix. The present work promotes the use of bio based renewable sources to fabricate environment friendly materials to be used in the field of catalysis for the abatement of organic pollutants.     

Highly stable and selective Ru/NiFe_2O_4 catalysts for transfer hydrogenation of biomass-derived furfural to 2-methylfuran

Spinel ferrites NiFe_2O_4 supported Ru catalysts have been prepared via a simple sol–gel route and applied for converting biomass-derived furfural to 2-methylfuran. The as-prepared catalysts were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis(TG), N_2 adsorption–desorption, X-ray diffraction(XRD), scanning electronic microscopy(SEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS). Results showed that the catalysts had well-dispersed Ru active sites and large surface area for calcination temperature ranging from 300 to 500 ℃. The conversion of biomass-derived furfural into 2-methylfuran was conducted over Ru/NiFe_2O_4 through catalytic transfer hydrogenation in liquid-phase with 2-propanol as the hydrogen source. A significantly enhanced activity and increased 2-methylfuran yield have been achieved in this study. Under mild conditions(180 ℃ and 2.1 MPa N_2), the conversion of furfural exceeds 97% and 2-methylfuran yield was up to 83% over the catalyst containing 8 wt% Ru. After five repeated uses, the catalytic activity and the corresponding product yield remained almost unchanged. The excellent catalytic activity and recycling performance provide a broad prospects for various practical applications.     

Nickel ferrite/zinc oxide nanocomposite: Investigating the photocatalytic and antibacterial properties

A facile strategy was used for the synthesis of nickel ferrite/zinc oxide (NiFe₂O_4/ZnO) nanocomposite via an ultra-sonication method and observed its recyclability and photostability with enhanced visible light-driven photocatalytic performance. The photo degradation activities of as-synthesized photocatalysts were investigated using various dyes including methylene blue, crystal violet and methyl orange under solar light irradiation. Prepared material degrades 49.2% methyl orange, 44.4% methyl blue and 41.3% crystal violet in 40 min. Further, the synergistic effect of nickel ferrite and zinc oxide can reduce the probability of recombination of charge carrier and boost the charge separation which leads to remarkable photocatalytic performance. Magnetic properties of nickel ferrite reduces the agglomeration of material and increases the recyclability. The NiFe₂O_4/ZnO nanocomposites also exhibited better antibacterial activity for Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, which shows that they can be used for both environmental and biological applications.     

Cyanamide-derived non-precious metal catalyst for oxygen reduction

Cyanamide was used in the preparation series of metal–nitrogen–carbon (M–N–C) oxygen reduction catalysts. The best catalyst, treated at 1050 °C, shows good performance versus previously reported non-precious metal catalysts with an OCV ~ 1.0 V and a current density of 105 mA/cm² (iR-corrected) at 0.80 V in H₂/O₂ fuel cell testing (catalyst loading: 4 mg cm^? 2). Although nitrogen content has been previously correlated positively with ORR activity, no such trend is observed here for any nitrogen type. The combined effects of nitrogen and sulfur incorporation into the carbon may account for the high activity of the 1050 °C catalyst.     

Cost-effective solid oxide fuel cell prepared by single step co-press-firing process with lithiated NiO cathode

A cost-effective cell fabrication process was developed for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs). Co-doped ceria Ce_0.8Gd_0.05Y_0.15O_1.9 (GYDC) was synthesized by carbonate co-precipitation method. Lithiated NiO was prepared by glycine-nitrate combustion method and adopted as cathode material for IT-SOFCs. Single cell was fabricated by one-step dry-pressing and co-firing anode, anode functional layer (AFL), electrolyte and cathode together at 1200 °C for 4 h. The cell presented decent performance and an overall electrode polarization resistance of 0.54 Ω cm² has been achieved at 600 °C. These results demonstrate the possibility of using lithiated NiO as cathode material for ceria-based IT-SOFCs and the development of affordable fuel cell devices is encouraged.     

NiFe2O4/g-C3N4 heterojunction composite with enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity

Spinel structure nickel ferrite (NiFe₂O₄) doped graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) photocatalyst NiFe₂O₄/g-C₃N₄ was synthesized by the coprecipitation route to enhance the photocatalytic activity for the visible-light driven degradation of methyl orange. The NiFe₂O₄ doping content is responsible for the microstructure and photocatalytic activity of NiFe₂O₄/g-C₃N₄ samples. Compared with pure NiFe₂O₄ and g-C₃N₄, the 2-NiFe₂O₄/g-C₃N₄ composite with NiFe₂O₄ doping of 2.0 wt% exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity and superior stability after five runs for degrading methyl orange under visible light irradiation. The catalytic activity of 2-NiFe₂O₄/g-C₃N₄ sample produced using the coprecipitation route was higher than those of conventional 2-NiFe₂O₄/g-C₃N₄ bulks prepared by the impregnation approach. The prepared samples for the photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange followed pseudo-first-order reaction kinetics. It’s ascribed to the synergistic effect between NiFe₂O₄ and g-C₃N₄, which can inhibit the recombination of photoexcited electron-hole pairs, accelerate photoproduced charges separation, and enhance the visible light absorption.     

Characterization,EPR and photoluminescence studies of LiAl5O8:Cr phosphors

Red emitting Cr³⁺ doped LiAl₅O₈ powder phosphor was prepared by combustion route using corresponding metal nitrates and urea in a single step. The prepared powder was characterized by X-ray diffraction and surface area measurements were carried out by Brunauer–Emmet–Teller adsorption isotherms. The electron paramagnetic resonance spectrum in the low field regions is typical for isolated Cr³⁺ ions whereas the resonance signal in the high field region with g = 1.95 is due to exchange coupled Cr³⁺–Cr³⁺ pairs. The optical studies show two broad and intense bands characteristic of Cr³⁺ ions in distorted octahedral symmetry. The photoluminescence spectrum gives a narrow red emission at 710 nm corresponding to ²E_g → ⁴A_2g transition upon excitation of 562 nm. The crystal field parameter (Dq), Racah inter-electronic repulsion parameters (B and C) and nephelauxetic parameters have been evaluated and discussed.     

Anisotropic catalytic activity of the orientation controlled Nd2NiO4 + δ/YSZ hetero-epitaxial system for SOFC cathode

Electrode–electrolyte hetero-epitaxial systems for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) with two different configuration of Nd₂NiO_4 + δ(110)//YSZ(100) and Nd₂NiO_4 + δ(100)//YSZ(110) were successfully fabricated by pulsed laser deposition. Thin films of Nd₂NiO_4 + δ approximately 20 nm thick were grown on a commercial single crystal of YSZ. The preferred two-dimensional diffusion paths of the oxide ions were perpendicular to the substrate for both configurations and showed oxygen reduction capability different from each other. This opens up new research direction focusing on the details of anisotropic catalytic activity of SOFC cathode depending on the crystalline surface.     

Lime peel extract induced NiFe2O4 NPs: Synthesis to applications and oxidative stress mechanism for anticancer,antibiotic activity

Nanobiotechnology, joined with green science, has incredible potential for the advancement of novel and important products that benefit human health, climate, and industries. Green chemistry of materials from synthesis to diverse biomedical applications is a talk of town in today’s sustainable ideal world. Green synthesized nickel ferrites nanoparticles via biogenic lime peel extract (LPE) are investigated with precision and complete trail has been reported as multiple efficacies. The fcc crystal structure with the crystallite size (31 nm) were accessed by the XRD, magnetic properties using VSM, and FTIR for the functional group analysis of NiFe₂O₄ nanoparticles mediated by Lime peel extract (NiFe₂O₄@LPE NPs). From TEM and SEM analysis the average diameter of the NPs was observed in the range of 31–35 nm. In 3D view, the surface morphology was analyzed by the AFM. NiFe₂O₄@LPE NPs were used to assess cytotoxicity and cellular morphological alterations in In Vitro cervical cancerous cells (HeLa). Nanosized NiFe₂O₄@LPE accompanied the considerable NPs topology induced dose dependent MMP in HeLa cells unlike the previous interpretation of controlled metabolism anticancer activity for HeLa cancerous cells. Therefore, it is referred by oxidative stress and reduction phenomena for anticancer effects and inactivation of carcinogen. Moreover, Antioxidant DPPH radical scavenging method and antibacterial Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus activity were observed in the synthesized nickel ferrites NPs.     

Direct-methane solid oxide fuel cells with Cu1.3Mn1.7O4 spinel internal reforming layer

Cu_1.3Mn_1.7O₄ spinel oxide has been synthesized and characterized as anode internal reforming layer for Ni–SDC anode-supported solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) directly operating on methane fuel. XRD and Cu mapping image results of Cu_1.3Mn_1.7O₄ oxide after in-situ reduction by methane show that a highly dispersed nano-Cu metal network has been obtained. By adopting Cu_1.3Mn_1.7O₄ as an internal reforming layer, the cell demonstrated maximum power densities of 242 and 311 mW cm^?2 at 650 and 700 °C, respectively using methane as fuel and ambient air as oxidant. More importantly, Cu_1.3Mn_1.7O₄ internal reforming layer has significantly improved the cell performance stability. The cell with the Cu_1.3Mn_1.7O₄ internal reforming layer has demonstrated reasonably stable performance while the cell without it degraded very rapidly.     

A novel preparation method of active materials for the lithium secondary battery

LiNi_0.8Co_0.2O₂ is a promising candidate to replace LiCoO₂. The present paper describes the preparation of LiNi_0.8Co_0.2O₂ compounds from nitrate sources and sucrose (or sugar) by the sucrose combustion process (SCP), which involves application of a conventional combustion method. In the proposed approach, sucrose serves as a fuel, a dispersing agent, and a precipitation suppressant. Precursors were made via a combustion reaction, and LiNi_0.8Co_0.2O₂ was subsequently synthesized by heat treatment at 800 °C for 16 h in oxygen atmosphere. The initial discharge capacity was 175 mA h/g when a cell was operated at 2.7–4.3 V at 0.5 C-rate. Furthermore, it shows good cycling stability. When increased amount of sucrose were added as a start material, the final calcined powder displayed smaller particle size and better discharge capacity. It is expected that optimization of the heat treatment conditions would yield LiNi_0.8Co_0.2O₂ with excellent properties. Furthermore, SCP is expected to be applicable to the production of various materials.     

A Ca substitution study of NaV2O4: High-pressure synthesis of the Na1−xCaxV2O4 solid solution

Ambient pressure CaV₂O₄ and high-pressure NaV₂O₄ crystallize in the CaFe₂O₄ structure type containing double chains of edge-sharing VO₆ octahedra. Recent measurements on NaV₂O₄ reveal low-dimensional metallicity and evidence of half-metallic ferromagnetism. In contrast, CaV₂O₄ is an antiferromagnetic insulator. To explore the evolution of these ground-state behaviors, we have prepared a series of Ca-doped NaV₂O₄ compounds with the formula Na_1?xCa_xV₂O₄ (x = 0–1) using high-pressure synthesis. Samples at the Na end (x = 0–0.07) show a broad antiferromagnetic transition in the 120–160 K range in accordance with earlier reports. Transport measurements show an insulator–metal transition at x ～ 0.2. Samples with higher Ca concentrations (x = 0.4–0.7) exhibit a metal–insulator transition around 150 K. The results for the Na_1?xCa_xV₂O₄ solid solution is discussed in comparison to existing studies at the Ca- and Na-rich ends.     

Platinum nanoparticles supported on nitrobenzene-functionalised graphene nanosheets as electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction in alkaline media

A systematic study on the electrocatalytic properties of Pt nanoparticles supported on nitrobenzene-modified graphene (Pt-NB/G) as catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in alkaline solution was performed. Graphene nanosheets were spontaneously grafted with nitrophenyl groups using 4-nitrobenzenediazonium salt. The electrocatalytic activity towards the ORR and stability of the prepared catalysts in 0.1 M KOH solution have been studied and compared with that of the commercial Pt/C catalyst. The results obtained show that the NB-modified graphene nanosheets can be good Pt catalyst support with high stability and excellent electrocatalytic properties. The specific activity of Pt-NB/G for O₂ reduction was 0.184 mA cm⁻², which is very close to that obtained for commercial 20 wt% Pt/C catalyst (0.214 mA cm⁻²) at 0.9 V vs. RHE. The Pt-NB/G hybrid material promotes a four-electron reduction of oxygen and can be used as a promising cathode catalyst in alkaline fuel cells.     

Laser patterning and preferential orientation of two-dimensional planar β-BaB2O4 crystals on the glass surface

The laser-induced crystallization method is applied to pattern two-dimensional planar β-BaB₂O₄ crystals on the surface of Sm₂O₃–BaO–B₂O₃ glass. By scanning Yb:YVO₄ fiber lasers (wavelength: 1080 nm) continuously with a small step (0.5 μm) between laser irradiated areas, homogeneous planar β-BaB₂O₄ crystals are patterned successfully, and a preferential growth orientation of β-BaB₂O₄ crystals is confirmed from linearly polarized micro-Raman scattering spectrum and second harmonic intensity measurements. It is found that the crystal growth direction is perpendicular to the laser scanning direction. This relation, i.e., the perpendicular relation, is different from the behavior in discrete crystal line patterning, where the crystal growth direction is consistent with the laser scanning direction. The present study proposes the possibility of the control of crystal growth direction in laser-induced crystallization in glasses.     

Nonenzymatic glucose fuel cells with an anion exchange membrane as an electrolyte

Nonenzymatic glucose fuel cells were prepared by using a polymer electrolyte membrane and Pt-based metal catalysts. A fuel cell with a cation exchange membrane (CEM), which is often used for conventional polymer electrolyte fuel cells, shows an open circuit voltage (OCV) of 0.86 V and a maximum power density (P_max) of 1.5 mW cm^?2 with 0.5 M d-glucose and humidified O₂ at room temperature. The performance significantly increased to show an OCV of 0.97 V and P_max of 20 mW cm^?2 with 0.5 M d-glucose in 0.5 M KOH solution when the electrolyte membrane was changed from a CEM to an anion exchange membrane (AEM). This is due to the superior catalytic activity for both glucose oxidation and oxygen reduction in alkaline medium than in acidic medium. The anodic reaction of the fuel cell can be estimated to be the oxidation of glucose to gluconic acid via a two-electron process under these experimental conditions. The crossover of glucose through an electrolyte membrane was negligibly small compared with methanol and may not represent a serious technical problem due to the cross-reaction.     

Fabrication and magnetic properties of electrospun copper ferrite (CuFe2O4) nanofibers

Tetragonal copper ferrite (CuFe₂O₄) nanofibers were fabricated by electrospinning method using a solution that contained poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) and Cu and Fe nitrates as alternative metal sources. The as-spun and calcined CuFe₂O₄/PVP composite samples were characterized by TG-DTA, X-ray diffraction, FT-IR, and SEM, respectively. After calcination of the as-spun CuFe₂O₄/PVP composite nanofibers (fiber size of 89 ± 12 nm in diameter) at 500 °C in air for 2 h, CuFe₂O₄ nanofibers of 66 ± 13 nm in diameter having well-developed tetragonal structure were successfully obtained. The crystal structure and morphology of the nanofibers were influenced by the calcination temperature. After calcination at 600 and 700 °C, the nature of nanofibers changed which was possibly due to the reorganization of the CuFe₂O₄ structure at high temperature, and a fiber structure of packed particles or crystallites was prominent. Crystallite size of the nanoparticles contained in nanofibers increases from 7.9 to 23.98 nm with increasing calcination temperature between 500 and 700 °C. Room temperature magnetization results showed a ferromagnetic behavior of the calcined CuFe₂O₄ samples, having their specific saturation magnetization (M_s) values of 17.73, 20.52, and 23.98 emu/g for the samples calcined at 500, 600, and 700 °C, respectively.     

Sol–gel fabrication of lithium-ion microarray battery

Microarray electrodes of LiMn₂O₄ and Li_4/3Ti_5/3O₄ were prepared on a glass substrate using a sol–gel method. The prepared LiMn₂O₄ and Li_4/3Ti_5/3O₄ microarray electrodes were characterized with scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry. Using a polymer-gel electrolyte, lithium ion microbattery of Li_4/3Ti_5/3O₄/polymer-gel/LiMn₂O₄ (cell area: 6.6 × 10⁻² cm²) was successfully constructed. The microbattery operated reversibly at 2.5 V, and the discharge capacity was 300 nA h, which corresponded to an energy density of 11 μW h cm⁻².     

New α,ω-dicarboxylate coordination polymers with 4,4′-bipyridine: Cu(bpy)(C5H6O4), Zn(bpy)(C5H6O4), Zn(bpy)(C6H8O4) and Mn(bpy)(C8H12O4) · H2O

Four 4,4′-bipyridine α,ω-dicarboxylate coordination polymers Cu(bpy)(C₅H₆O₄) (1), Zn(bpy)(C₅H₆O₄) (2), Zn(bpy)(C₆H₈O₄) (3) and Mn(bpy)(C₈H₁₂O₄) · H₂O (4) have been synthesized and structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction methods (bpy = 4,4-bipyridine, (C₅H₆O₄)²⁻ = glutarate anion, (C₆H₈O₄)²⁻ = adipate anion, (C₈H₁₂O₄)²⁻ = suberate anion). Their crystal structures are featured by dimeric metal units, which are co-bridged by 4,4′-bipyridine ligands and dicarboxylate anions such as glutarate, adipate and suberate anions to generate 2D layers with a (4,4) topology in 1, 2 and 4 as well as to form 3D frameworks in 3. Two 3D frameworks in 3 interpenetrate with each other to form a topology identical to the well-known Nb₆F₁₅ cluster compound. Over 5–300 K, the paramagnetic behavior of 4 follows the Curie–Weiss law χ_m(T − Θ) = 4.265(5) cm³ mol⁻¹ with the Weiss constant Θ = −6.3(2) K. Furthermore, the thermal behavior of 3 and 4 is also discussed.     

In situ FT-IR and TPD-MS study of carbon monoxide oxidation over a CeO2/Co3O4 catalyst

The forming of surface species during the adsorption of carbon monoxide (CO) and CO/O₂ on a CeO₂/Co₃O₄ catalyst was investigated by in situ Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and temperature programmed desorption-mass spectroscopy (TPD-MS). When CO was adsorbed on the CeO₂/Co₃O₄ catalyst, two types of surface species were distinguishable at room temperature: carbonate and bicarbonate. Surface carbonate was adsorbed on the cerium and cobalt, while the surface bicarbonate absorbed on the CeO₂/Co₃O₄ catalyst at 1611, 1391, 1216 and 830 cm⁻¹. Furthermore, the TPD-MS profiles revealed that the CeO₂/Co₃O₄ catalyst showed a greater amount of CO₂ than CO at 373 K. The CO desorption from the CeO₂/Co₃O₄ catalyst with increasing temperature showed that the order of thermal stability was surface bicarbonate < surface carbonate < interface carbonate species. Interestingly, the residual carbonate species could remain on the interface up to 473 K. The results revealed that surface bicarbonate could promote the conversion of CO into CO₂ for CO oxidation below 50 K.