Iranian Scientific Association of Energetic Materials

Mixed spinel nanocrystals have captured the attention of scientist in the field for their catalytic activity in decomposition of hydrogen peroxide. In this study nanocatalysts MnFe2O4, Co3O4, Pb3O4, Co0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 and Co0.5Mn0.5Fe2O4 were synthesized by co-precipitation method. The synthetic samples were characterized by XRD patterns, SEM images and IR spectroscopy. The size of the nanoparticles was calculated from the Scherrer equation and XRD patterns. Nanocatalysts were tested for the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide. The catalytic activity of these nanocrystals was determined by the oxygen volumetric technique. Decomposition of hydrogen was examined by produced nanocatalysts and as a result lead oxide and cobalt oxide nanocatalysts were selected as dopant in MnFe2O4 nanocrystal structure. The results indicated significant superiority of lead oxide upon cobalt oxide because lead oxide caused to release 100 ml O2 gas within 90 seconds while cobalt oxide released it during 100 seconds. The catalytic activity of three-component spinel ferrites was studied and the results showed excessive activity of two-component compared with three-component spinel.