Structural and catalytic properties of Zn1−x Cu x Fe2O4 nanoparticles

A series of zinc copper mixed ferrites having general formula Zn1−xCuxFe2O4 (x = 0.0, 0.25,0.50,0.75,1.0) have been synthesized by co-precipitation method. The average particle sizes of these ferrites as determined from XRD data using Scherer’s relation have been found to range from 10.45 to 18.39 nm. The samples have been characterized by XRD, Mossbauer spectroscopy, B.E.T.surface area and acidity measurements. These ferrites have been tested for their catalytic activity in alkylation of pyridine by methanol. The conversion of pyridine as well as yield to 3-methyl pyridine is found to be lowest in case of ZnFe2O4 which increases as the copper content is increased and is maximum for CuFe2O4. The results on the acidity measurements on these ferrites as well as structural properties support these results. CuFe2O4 is found to be highly selective for 3-methylpyridine.