Urea-Based Combustion Process for the Synthesis of Nanocrystalline Ni-La-Fe-O Catalysts
Nanocrystalline Ni-La-Fe-O catalysts having the general formula NiLaxFe2−xO4(0.00≤x≤2.00) were synthesized by the combustion route employing urea as a combustion fuel. The calcination process was affected at 500°C. The structural properties of the obtained catalysts were systematically investigated by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectra (EDX), and nitrogen adsorption at −196°C. Crystalline NiFe2O4and La2NiO4phases were detected for the catalysts havingx=0.00and 2.00, respectively, as a result of solid-solid interaction between mixtures precursors. The activity of the obtained catalysts was checked for hydrogen peroxide decomposition at 35–55°C. A synergic effect was observed for the catalysts havingx-value of 1.00 and 1.50. Such effect was attributed to the increase in the number of the active constituents involved in the catalytic decomposition of H2O2.