Improvement of photocatalytic ammonia production of cobalt ferrite nanoparticles utilizing microporous ZSM-5 type ferrisilicate zeolite

Abstract

Abstract The development of decarbonized synthesis approaches is a critical step in the fabrication of ammonia, an indispensable chemical and a potential carbon–neutral energy carrier. In this regard, the photocatalytic production technology has gained ample attention as a sustainable alternative to energy-intensive and environmentally detrimental Haber–Bosch process. Here, we present cobalt ferrite nanoparticles supported on microporous ZSM-5 type ferrisilicate zeolite as a desirable novel photocatalyst for the ammonia generation. The zeolite introduced as a microporous support increasing the catalytically active sites. A straightforward one-pot sol–gel method was used to synthesize cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) and CoFe2O4/ferrisilicate (CF/FS) nanocomposites with various weight percentages (10, 25 and 50%) of CoFe2O4. The photocatalytic performances of the samples in the production of ammonia were investigated under visible light irradiation. The highest rate of NH4 + production (484.74 µmol L−1 h−1) was achieved using the CF50%/FS photocatalyst. The distribution of < 50 nm-sized CoFe2O4 nanoparticles on the surface of the zeolite, as demonstrated by TEM images, and extensive BET surface areas are presented as convincing evidences for the improved photocatalytic activity paticularly in CF50%/FS photocatalyst.

Keywords

• Cobalt ferrite
• Ferrisilicate zeolite
• Photocatalytic ammonia production
• Nanocomposite
• N2 photoreduction