Phase Formation and Elemental Transport in the Electrosynthesis of Nickel Ferrite by Sacrificial Iron Anode in Nickel Salt Solution

Riski Agung Nata Utama, Tantular Nurtono, Widiyastuti Widiyastuti, I. Wuled Lenggoro, Heru Setyawan*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Electrochemical methods are promising for the synthesis of ferrite particles with controlled sizes and morphologies. Nevertheless, the mechanisms of particle formation in these systems are still unclear. Here, we report the mechanisms of nickel ferrite (NiFe2O4) particle formation via an electrochemical method. Specifically, the iron anode was electrooxidized in a nickel salt solution, and the generated particles were sampled and characterized for their composition and crystal phase. High-purity NiFe2O4 particles were obtained at high voltages, whereas impurities in the form of β-Ni(OH)2 and β-FeOOH existed at low voltages. Magnetite (Fe3O4) nuclei were initially formed when an appropriate proportion of Fe(OH)2 and FeOOH in solution was attained. The growth of NiFe2O4 was caused by the diffusion of Ni atoms from the solution to the surface of the generated Fe3O4 particles, followed by atomic substitution. Ni diffusion toward the Fe3O4 powder surface and then through the Fe3O4 lattice started only after the formation of Fe3O4. The formation rate of Fe3O4 increased with increasing voltage. These results provide invaluable insight into the mechanisms of the formation of ferrite particles using a promising synthesis route for the production of ferrite particles in an electrochemical system.

Original languageEnglish
Article number022504
JournalJournal of the Electrochemical Society
Volume172
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Feb 2025

Keywords

  • electrosynthesis
  • nanoscale materials
  • phase transformation
  • sacrificial anode

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