Reactivity of nanoparticles; interaction between zinc and copper oxide nanoparticles and iron ions in an alkaline medium

Abstract

The reactivity of zinc and copper oxide nanoparticles was investigated upon their interaction with iron oxides. It was ascertained that, depending on the reaction conditions, nanoparticles of zinc and copper ferrites (ZnFe2O4 and CuFe2O4) or core/shell nanoparticles (Fe3O4/ZnO) are produced. Size, composition, and structure of the resulting nanoparticles were determined by transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. The average size of zinc and copper ferrite nanoparticles was ascertained to be 9–10 and 2–3 nm, respectively. For core/shell Fe3O4/ZnO nanoparticles, the average size is 20 nm. It was experimentally proved that the photoluminescence radiative characteristics of ZnO nanoparticles are retained in core/shell Fe3O4/ZnO nanoparticles.