Structure, Optical, Magnetic and Photocatalytic Properties of Cu doped ZnFe2O4 Nanoparticles

Abstract

Copper doped zinc ferrite (Cu-ZnFe₂O₄) nanocrystallites were synthesised via the sol-gel process. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM), UV–visible spectroscopy, and Vibrating Sample Magnetometry (VSM) were utilised to analyse the structural behaviour and magnetic properties of the sample. X-ray diffraction studies revealed the spinel FCC structure of the sample. The scanning electron microscopy micrographs indicated the formation of crystallites with dense, compact and platelet structure. The absorption spectrum and the Tauc plot revealed the bandgap to be 2.0 eV. The sample's magnetic property was analyzed using a vibrating sample magnetometer, confirming its superparamagnetic behaviour at room temperature. The photocatalytic degradation of the sample was assessed against Methylene Blue (MB) dye in visible light irradiation, demonstrating an efficiency of 83%. The elemental composition of the sample and its oxidation state were determined using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), which confirmed the synthesis of Cu-doped ZnFe₂O₄.