Catalytic Reduction of CO2 into Solar Fuels via Ferrite Based Thermochemical Redox Reactions

Abstract

In this study, Ni based ferrite nanomaterials were synthesized using sol-gel method for solar thermochemical splitting of CO2 using a thermogravimetric analyzer. To synthesize the ferrite materials, the corresponding metal precursors were dissolved in ethanol (with required molar ratios). After achieving the dissolution, propylene oxide (PO) was added to achieve the gel formation. Freshly synthesized gels were aged, dried, and calcined by heating up to 600 C in air. Powder x-ray diffractometer (XRD), BET surface area, as well as scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) electron microscopy characterized the calcined powders. The sol-gel derived ferrites were further tested towards their thermal reduction and CO2 splitting ability using a high temperature thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA).