Sol-gel auto-combustion, structural and morphological properties of Co60 γ-ray irradiated ZnFe2O4 NPs

Abstract

In this study, we used the sol-gel auto-combustion method to make zinc ferrite nanoparticles (ZnFe2O4 NPs) utilizing glycine as a fuel to boost the chemical reaction in the right direction, following the propellant chemistry protocols. The influence of preparation conditions and sintering temperature kept during the synthesis were investigated using a controlled reaction and ionic exchange. In a gamma chamber, the produced zinc ferrite nanoparticles were irradiated with a total dose of 5 Mrad by Co60-γirradiation. The morphological and topographical character of ZnFe2O4 NPs were studied, as well as the thermal analysis and physico-chemical parameters; TGA exothermic ranged from 220 °C to 660 °C, and TGA endothermic at 660 °C. The phase purity and existence of Bragg's reflections belonging to the space group Fd3m-1; a normal type cubic spinel structure of ZnFe2O4 NPs were shown by the XRD pattern. The lattice constant (a), unit cell volume (V), X-ray density (dx), and other microstructural parameters have been determined using Debye-formula Scherrer's crystallite size (D = 40.164 nm). To support the phase formation investigation, the Raman spectra were examined for the active mode A1g. The UV–Vis spectral absorption of ZnFe2O4 NPs was reported at ∼ 258.03 Å. The optical bandgap was estimated by using a Tauc’s plot; Kubelka-Munk function F(R); which was reported to be 3.69 eV.