UV light-activated photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B dye and Suzuki cross-coupling reaction by Ni ferrite catalyst synthesized by sol–gel auto-combustion method

Nanocrystalline nickel ferrite (NiFe2O4) was synthesized by economical sol–gel auto-combustion method. XRD pattern confirms existence of cubic spinel phase with average crystallite size of 28.37 nm. The magnetic and morphological properties of the sample were studied by using vibratory sample magnetometer (VSM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM), respectively. The prepared samples were used to study photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B dye solution. The effect of UV light irradiation time, metal doping and kinetic parameters of photocatalysis with nickel ferrite catalyst was studied in detail. The catalyst was also utilized for a two-element coupling system of phenyl halide and phenyl boronic acid. The influence of solvent, temperature and metal loading of the catalyst was conjointly mentioned.