Synthesis, characterization and adsorptive performance of MgFe₂O₄ nanospheres for SO₂ removal

A type of uniform Mg ferrite nanospheres with excellent SO₂ adsorption capacity could be selectively synthesized via a facile solvothermal method. The size of the MgFe₂O₄ nanospheres was controlled to be 300-400nm in diameter. The structural, textural, and surface properties of the adsorbent have been fully characterized by a variety of techniques (Brunauer-Emmett-Teller, BET; X-ray diffraction analysis, XRD; scanning electron microscopy, SEM; and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, EDS). The valence states and the surface chemical compositions of MgFe₂O₄ nanospheres were further identified by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The behaviors of SO₂ oxidative adsorption on MgFe₂O₄ nanospheres were studied using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Both the sulfite and sulfate species could be formed on the surface of MgFe₂O₄. The adsorption equilibrium isotherm of SO₂ was analyzed using a volumetric method at 298K and 473K. The results indicate that MgFe₂O₄ nanospheres possess a good potential as the solid-state SO₂ adsorbent for applications in hot fuel gas desulfurization. © 2010 Elsevier B.V