Green synthesis and characterization of Zinc Ferrite (ZnFe2O4) nanocomposite via Tristaniopsis merguensis Griff. natural extract

Abstract

Green synthesis and characterization of zinc ferrite (ZnFe2O4) nanocomposite via Tristaniopsis merguensis natural extract was performed. The precursors used in this analysis were Zn(NO3)2.6H2O and Fe(NO3)3.9H2O, it was known that the extracts of Tristaniopsis merguensis leaves had high total phenolic content. Synthesis is carried out by comparing the temperature without annealed and annealed at 700 °C. The presence of phenolic compounds in the extract of Tristaniopsis merguensis functions as a bioreductor agent and chelating agent in the formation of zinc ferrite material. The XRD analysis showed the diffraction peaks typical of ZnFe2O4 at 29.98°, 35.85°, 42.75°, 56.51° and 62.09° at 700 °C annealed, indicating that the ZnFe2O4 structure had a face center cubic structure with miller index (220), (311), (400), (400) and (400). The average particle size of ZnFe2O4 is 9.0414 nm based on Scherrer’s calculations. FTIR analysis shows the presence of phenolic compounds in Tristaniopsis merguensis leaves extracts interacting with Zn2+ and Fe3+ ions producing sharp absorption at wave number 543.80 cm−1 corresponding to the vibrational mode of the metal oxygen bond (Zn-O-Fe).