Abstract
Cerium (Ce)- and neodymium (Nd)-doped spinel nickel ferrites catalysts system were synthesized using a cost-effective sol-gel route. The as-prepared nickel ferrites and its doped Ce and Nd nanomaterials were characterized in terms of Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry, X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, selected area diffraction pattern, zeta potential and magnetism techniques. Their catalytic potential was examined in the (ep)oxidation of 1,2-cyclooctene by using hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) ortert-butylhydroperoxide (t-BuOOH). Optimization of various parameters, including solvent, oxidant and catalyst type revealed that chloroform (CHCl3) or 1,2-dichloroethane as a solvent andt-BuOOH as an oxidant were found to be the best choice for this catalytic system. The catalytic efficiency was found as Nd-NiFe2O4 > Ce-NiFe2O4 > NiFe2O4. Further, the applied nanocatalysts could be easily renovated and exhibited high catalytic reactivity for 5 times of recycling experiments with long-time durability. A reasonable discussion of the mechanism reaction reinforced the action of these spinel catalysts.