Ultrasonic-assisted synthesis of core-shell structure Zn 0.5Cr 0.5Fe 2O 4/TiO 2 nanocomposites in w/o microemulsion

Abstract

The core-shell structure nanocomposites containing TiO 2-coated Zn 0.5Cr 0.5Fe 2O 4 were prepared by hydrolysis of titanium tetrabutyloxide in w/o microemulsions assisted by ultrasonic irradiation. The as-prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Structure analysis indicated that Zn 0.5Cr 0.5Fe 2O 4/TiO 2 nanocomposites presented the core-shell structure, where the size of Zn 0.5Cr 0.5Fe 2O 4 core was in the range of 20–30 nm, and the thickness of TiO 2 shell was 10–20 nm. The magnetic properties were investigated by using a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The results of the magnetic measurement indicated the reduction of the magnetization for Zn 0.5Cr 0.5Fe 2O 4/TiO 2 nanocomposites compared with the uncoated Zn 0.5Cr 0.5Fe 2O 4 particles. The formation mechanism of Zn 0.5Cr 0.5Fe 2O 4/TiO 2 nanocomposites was proposed as well.