Nanocrystalline magnesium ferrite prepared for photocatalytic applications by using the polymerized complex method

Magnesium ferrite (MgFe2O4) exhibiting a spinel phase was synthesized by using the polymerized complex and the solid-state reaction methods, and its physico-chemical properties were studied to explore the water-splitting under visible light photons. The study revealed the potential for using MgFe2O4 particles for photo-catalytic application. The structural study provided information on ferrite nano-crystallites fabricated by using the polymer complex method. The morphological studies demonstrated that, in contrast to the solid-state reaction method, a homogenous, monodispersed ferrite photocatalyst could be formed by using the polymerized complex method. The optical study revealed a larger visible-light absorption capability for the nanosized MgFe2O4 photocatalysts prepared by using the polymer complex methods, and indicated a red-shift of the bandgap by 0.06 eV as compared to the bandgap of the bulk. These nanocrystallites were highly photoactive with respect to the photodegradation and photocatalytic hydrogen evolution applications. The electrochemical analysis showed that they exhibited favorable bandedge positions suitable for photocatalytic H-2 evolution. Thus, nanocrystalline MgFe2O4 is an active visible-light photocatalyst, that might be useful for the decomposition of water.