Comparative Study on Optical and Electrochemical Properties of MFe₂O₄ (M = Mg, Ca, Ba) Nanoparticles

Abstract

MFe₂O₄ (M = Mg, Ca, Ba) nanoparticles are successfully synthesized by two different synthesis routes. The effects of calcination temperature and synthesis route on the optical and electrochemical properties of MFe₂O₄ nanoparticles have been systematically researched by UV-visible spectroscopy and electrochemical impedance measurements. The results confirm that the carbon particles can suppress the formation of M-ferrite. The color, optical and electrochemical properties of MFe₂O₄ nanoparticles appear to be highly dependent on calcination temperature, synthesis route and oxidation state of the chromophore ion and divalent metal M. Interestingly, the carbon introduced into (Mg, Ca, Ba)-ferrite precursor solution reduces flat-band potential and changes the color of MFe₂O₄ nanoparticles. The flat-band potential of MFe₂O₄ nanoparticles has been found to decrease with increasing atomic number of divalent metal M.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Keywords:

• MFe₂O₄ nanoparticles
• Polyacrylamide gel route
• Color parameters
• Flat-band potential
• Atomic number
• Divalent metal