Albumen-mediated Green Synthesis of ZnFe 2O4 Nanoparticles and Their Physico-Chemical Properties

Abstract

Spinel ferrites with general formula AB2O4 possess charming magnetic and electrical properties owing to their thermal and chemical steadfastness. Spinel zinc ferrite (ZnFe₂O₄) nanoparticles have attracted massive attention due to their unusual amalgamation of properties, especially magnetic properties, where these properties are equipped as suitable candidates in the field of electronics. Here, a simple self-combustion technique is made with the assistance of albumen to synthesize nanocrystalline zinc ferrite (ZnFe₂O₄) particles. The egg white (albumen) that is used in the synthesis process plays the fuel role in the process of combustion. The results of the powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) suggested that the synthesized nanoparticles are of single phase and show spinel structure. The photoluminescence studies reported a doublet peak at around 360-380 nm. The functional groups present in the synthesized nanoparticles were revealed from FTIR data. EDX findings give an account of the percentage composition of the elements Fe, Zn and O present in the synthesized sample. High-resolution Scanning Microscope (HRSEM) reveals the agglomerated coalescence nature of ferrite nanoparticles.

Keywords: Ferrite, PXRD, FTIR, HRSEM, EDX Albumen.