Structure, Surface Nature, Thermal Stability, and Biomass Gasification Process of NiO/SiO2 and NiO-Pr2O3/SiO2 Nanocomposites Obtained through Facile Deposition Precipitation Method

Abstract

Recently, composites of metal matrix attracted many researchers in mechanical, biomedical, chemical, and electrical fields due to its structure, thermal, and some interesting chemical properties. Nanocomposites of NiO/SiO2 and NiO-Pr2O3/SiO2 considered much interest due its wide range of applications in medical, engineering, physics, chemistry, and material science. In the present work, synthesizing of NiO/SiO2 and NiO-Pr2O3/SiO2 nanocomposites was carried out using simple and low-cost deposition precipitation technique. Structural features represent that the prepared samples found to be nanocrystalline nature. Surface morphology showed that there is formation of particle with spherical in shape. Transmission electron microscopy supported that the structure of composite with size is in the range of nanometer. The Brauner-Elmer-Teller method showed the surface area of the synthesized nanoparticles. The pore volume present in the nanoparticle was determined by Barrett–Joyner–Halenda method. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that the thermal stability of the synthesized nanocomposite is up to 1000°C. The hydrogen enrichment in the producer gas was evident by the tar cracking activity of the synthesized NiO/SiO2 and NiO-Pr2O3/SiO2 nanocomposites.