Nano-Magnetic NiFe2O4 and Its Photocatalytic Oxidation of Vanillyl Alcohol-Synthesis, Characterization, and Application in the Valorization of Lignin

Afnan Al-Hunaiti; Asma Ghazzy; Nuha Sweidan; Qassem Mohaidat; Ibrahim Bsoul; Sami Mahmood; Tareq Hussein

doi:10.3390/nano11041010

Nano-Magnetic NiFe₂O₄ and Its Photocatalytic Oxidation of Vanillyl Alcohol-Synthesis, Characterization, and Application in the Valorization of Lignin

Nanomaterials (Basel). 2021 Apr 15;11(4):1010. doi: 10.3390/nano11041010.

Authors

Afnan Al-Hunaiti¹, Asma Ghazzy², Nuha Sweidan³, Qassem Mohaidat⁴, Ibrahim Bsoul⁵, Sami Mahmood^{6

7}, Tareq Hussein^{6

8}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Chemistry, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan.
² Department of Chemistry, Al-Ahliyya Amman University, Amman 19328, Jordan.
³ Department of Chemistry, University of Petra, Amman 11196, Jordan.
⁴ Department of Physics, Yarmouk University, Irbid 21163, Jordan.
⁵ Department of Physics, Al Al-Bayt University, Mafraq 13040, Jordan.
⁶ Department of Physics, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan.
⁷ Department of Physics and Astronomy, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
⁸ Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research (INAR/Physics), University of Helsinki, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland.

Abstract

Here, we report on a phyto-mediated bimetallic (NiFe₂O₄) preparation using a Boswellia carterii extract, which was characterized by XRD, FT-IR, TGA, electron microscopy, magnetic spectroscopy, and Mössbauer spectroscopy measurements. The prepared nano-catalysts were tested for oxidation of lignin monomer molecules-vanillyl alcohol and cinnamyl alcohol. In comparison with previously reported methods, the nano NiFe₂O₄ catalysts showed high photocatalytic activity and selectivity, under visible light irradiation with a nitroxy radical initiator (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyloxy or 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine 1-oxyl; TEMPO) at room temperature and aerobic conditions. The multifold advantages of the catalyst both in terms of reduced catalyst loading and ambient temperature conditions were manifested by higher conversion of the starting material.

Keywords: TEMPO; aerobic; characterization; green catalyst; synthesis.