Structural, magnetic, and catalytic studies of microwave-combustion/ball-mill synthesized zinc ferrite nanoparticles

Abstract

By utilizing the microwave-combustion approach, it was possible to synthesize nanocrystals made of zinc ferrite from their stoichiometric metal nitrates and glycine mixtures. The magnetic and structural traits were assayed via FTIR, XRD, SEM, TEM and VSM. Results demonstrated that the as-prepared sample is a monophase zinc ferrite with noticeable crystallinity and 27 nm crystallite proportions. A trace of the α-Fe2O3 phase is observable and the crystallite size diminished with milling. The SEM micrographs show that the samples have a mesoporous structure. TEM images showed agglomerated particles, while the as-prepared samples electron diffraction patterns maintained high crystallinity. The as-prepared ZnFe2O4 with a saturation magnetization value of 47 emu/g at room temperature was observed. After 330 min of milling, the aforementioned value was reduced to 29 emu/g. The catalytic activity of all samples was analyzed via dehydrogenation-dehydration of isopropyl alcohol. The outcomes showed the robust activity and high selectivity of the samples towards propene and acetone formation.