Size-controlled synthesis of spinel nickel ferrite nanorods by thermal decomposition of a bimetallic Fe/Ni-MOF

In this work, size-controlled synthesis of nickel ferrite nanoparticles was achieved by the calcination a bimetallic (Fe/Ni) metal-organic framework (MOF). The MOF (Fe2Ni-MIL-88B) itself prepared two-step route. first step involved secondary building unit (SBU) reacting stoichiometric amounts Ni and Fe precursors with acetic acid. A ligand substitution reaction (terephthalate replaces acetate) in SBU leads to formation MOF, which characterized PXRD, FTIR, SEM TEM. Afterwards, calcined under air atmosphere obtain nanorods. PXRD analysis confirmed spinel structure ferrites while electron microscopic (SEM, TEM) revealed their nanorod-like morphology. By increasing temperature from 600 1000 °C, particle size increased 16 32 nm. Oxidation benzyl alcohol used as model test probe applicability nanorods for catalysis. Interestingly, largest exhibited highest activity (86% conversion), thus demonstrating potential catalyzing oxidation reactions.