Iron-nickel bimetallic nanoparticles: Surfactant assisted synthesis and their catalytic activities

Iron-Nickel core-shell bimetallic nanoparticles was synthesized by seed-growth co-reduction of their corresponding metal precursors (Fe(NO3)(3) and Ni(NO3)(2)) for the first time by using chemical reduction method in absence and presence of shape-controlling cetyltrimethylammonuim bromide (CTAB) and sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (SOBS). UV-visible spectra revealed that the formation of core-shell NPs strongly depends on the reduction potential of Fe3+ and Ni2+ ions in an aqueous solution. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), transmission electron microscope (TEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to determine the surface morphology and elemental composition of the NPs. The Fe-Ni NPs was used as a catalyst to the hydrogen generation from hydrolysis of sodium borohydride under various experimental conditions. The various activation parameters such as E-a = 75.1 kJ mol(-1), Delta H-# = 69.9 kJ mol(-1) and Delta S-# = -104.5 JK(-1) mol(-1) were calculated using Arrhenius and Eyring equations and discussed. Fe/-Ni was also used as an effective adsorbent for the removal of golden yellow MR from dying wastewater. Langmuir adsorption parameters were evaluated by using linear-form of the isotherm. The maximum adsorption capacity (Q(max)(0) = 181.1 mg/g) was calculated for Fe-25-Ni-75. (C) 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.