Hydrothermal tailoring of MnFe2O4 nanospinel integrated with biodegradable polymers for improved CO oxidation efficiency

This study explores the synthesis and characterization of MnFe2O4 nanospinels tailored with biodegradable polymers for enhanced CO oxidation efficiency. MnFe2O4 nanoparticles were prepared using chitosan (CS), CTAB, and cellulose (CE) as stabilizers, followed by hydrothermal aging. Comprehensive characterization using FTIR, XRD, XPS, HRTEM, and TGA revealed that MnFe2O4-CE exhibited the highest surface area (163.2 m²/g), pore volume (0.312 cm³/g), and a high concentration of active oxygen species, particularly lattice oxygen. TEM confirmed the smallest and most uniformly distributed particles in MnFe2O4-CE, averaging 7.5 ± 1.5 nm. These properties contributed to its superior catalytic performance, with effective redox transitions of Mn (Mn2+ to Mn3+) and Fe (Fe3+ to Fe2) enhancing CO oxidation. MnFe2O4-CE demonstrated lower light-off temperatures and maintained high catalytic activity over 13 hours at 150°C, confirming its stability and suitability for industrial applications. This study highlights MnFe2O4-CE's potential as a durable catalyst for environmental remediation, particularly in CO oxidation.