Synthesis, characterization and adsorptive performance of MgFe2O4 nanospheres for SO2 removal.

A type of uniform Mg ferrite nanospheres with excellent SO(2) adsorption capacity could be selectively synthesized via a facile solvothermal method. The size of the MgFe(2)O(4) nanospheres was controlled to be 300-400 nm in diameter. The structural, textural, and surface properties of the adsorbent have been fully characterized by a variety of techniques (Brunauer-Emmett-Teller, BET; X-ray diffraction analysis, XRD; scanning electron microscopy, SEM; and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, EDS). The valence states and the surface chemical compositions of MgFe(2)O(4) nanospheres were further identified by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The behaviors of SO(2) oxidative adsorption on MgFe(2)O(4) nanospheres were studied using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Both the sulfite and sulfate species could be formed on the surface of MgFe(2)O(4). The adsorption equilibrium isotherm of SO(2) was analyzed using a volumetric method at 298 K and 473 K. The results indicate that MgFe(2)O(4) nanospheres possess a good potential as the solid-state SO(2) adsorbent for applications in hot fuel gas desulfurization.