Effect of precursor pH on structural, magnetic and catalytic properties of CoFe 2 O 4 @SiO 2 green nanocatalyst

Cobalt ferrite is a promising material for many therapeutic applications, photo-catalysis, gas detectors, high-density data storage, etc. Optimization of process parameters has a vital role in tailoring its properties. Present work reports effect of precursor pH on the properties of cobalt ferrite nanoparticles dispersed in silica. Crystallite size shows escalation from 16 to 18.5 nm with increase in pH. Many undesired phases were observed at lower precursor pH. Lattice parameter and particle size distribution showed significant impact of pH. Silica matrix showed momentous change in its structure giving a high porosity structure at pH 9. Magnetic parameters show effects due to γ-Fe2O3 phase and pH. Effect on catalytic properties was investigated for the synthesis of 5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1,2,4-triazolidine-3-thione. Structural and morphological changes due to change in pH were found to enhance the catalytic yield considerably. Exquisiteness of the material as a catalyst is that it is magnetically separable and can be reused successively, making it an economic and green catalyst.