Fast and Facile Microwave Synthesis of Cubic CuFe₂O₄ Nanoparticles for Electrochemical CO₂ Reduction

Nanoparticles of cubic CuFe2O4 are obtained in a fast microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis. By adjusting the pH value and solvent ratio (ethylene glycol to water), phase purity high crystallinity is achieved at very short reaction times 1 min, or low temperatures 120 °C, without need for subsequent heat treatment steps. The influence synthesis time temperature on material properties performance electrochemical CO2 reduction CO investigated. While particle size not changed significantly with longer 175 prolonged heating results decrease degree inversion, which leads ability. best observed an intermediate inversion approx. 0.75, together largest crystallite micro-strain, as revealed by Rietveld refinement. For synthesized under these conditions, evolution rate 0.2 μmol h−1 g−1 Faradaic efficiency 20%. H2 1:3, makes it promising candidate sustainable production syngas.