Improved structural and catalytic attributes of Ba2CO2Fe12-2x(Zr,Ni)(x)O-22 materials synthesized by sol-gel and microwave heating methods

Nominal composition of Zr-Ni co-doped Ba2Co2Fe12-2x(Zr,Ni)(x)O-22 (x = 0.2-1.0) Y-type hexaferrites were synthesized by conventional sol gel and microwave heating methods. Structural analysis was carried out by TGA, SEM, XRD, O-2-TPD and BET surface area. Microwave synthesized samples revealed good morphological properties with high surface area and high porosity compared to that obtained by the sol-gel method. Catalytic decomposition of N2O was achieved at low temperatures of 600 degrees C and 700 degrees C for microwave and sol gel prepared samples, respectively. The catalysts are found workable and stable even at 1146 degrees C with very good N2O decomposition efficiency. Substituting iron with Zr Ni further enhanced the catalytic activity in both the cases