Copper Nanoparticles Supported on Nickel Ferrite: Synthesis and Electrocatalytic Activity

Abstract

Cu(x)/NiFe2O4(y) magnetic composites with different component ratios were prepared by chemical reduction of copper cations in the presence of sonicated nickel ferrite. Separately synthesized Cu and NiFe2O4 nanopar-ticles, as well as composites of copper particles supported on nickel ferrite, were characterized by X-ray dif-fraction spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Based on the determination of the specific surface area, the NiFe2O4 sample heat-treated at 500 °C was selected as the support for the catalytically active Cu particles. The electrocatalytic activity of Cu(x)/NiFe2O4(y) composites deposited on a cathode was investigat-ed in the electrohydrogenation of acetophenone (APh). It was shown that the electrocatalytic activity of these composites appears starting from the percentage ratio of their components x:y = 40:60. This was expressed as an increase in the rate of electrocatalytic hydrogenation of APh and its conversion compared to the electro-chemical reduction of APh under similar conditions. It was suggested that the slightly lower rate of APh hy-drogenation on Cu/NiFe2O4 composites compared to Cu particles is due to the poor electrical conductivity of the nickel ferrite support.