Ternary nanocomposite of ZnFe2O4/α-Fe2O3/ZnO; synthesis via coprecipitation method and physical properties characterization

• DOI: 10.1007/s00339-021-04607-5
• Publication Date: 2021-05-28T09:11:28Z
• Authors: Somayeh Shams; Zahra Sheibanizadeh; Zahra Khalaj
• Keywords: 02 engineering and technology; 0210 nano-technology; 01 natural sciences; 7. Clean energy; 0104 chemical sciences

Abstract ZnFe 2 O 4 /α-Fe 2 O 3 /ZnO ternary transition metal oxides nanocomposite powder was successfully synthesized by facile coprecipitation method directly from metalorganic precursors within 4 hours processing time considerably shorter than other reported methods. To study post-synthesis thermal treatment effects on physical properties calcination process was applied at 500 °C, 600 °C and 700 °C individually in furnace for one hour. The structure, phase formation, morphology and optical features of the samples were characterized by means of powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and UV-Visible spectroscopy. The results show formation of pure and homogeneous composites comprised of nanoparticles with good crystallization in narrow range of crystallite size between 25 nm-39 nm. The particle sizes were also estimated to be in the range of 48 nm - 93 nm. The optical property was studied by recording the absorbance spectrum in the range of 200 nm - 700 nm. The absorption pattern illustrated that the product can be driven by both UV and visible wavelengths with a good efficiency which is more desirable for intended applications like photocatalytic activities compare to the individual components. By using Tauc's method the allowed direct band gap energy and indirect band gap energy of the prepared nanocomposite was estimated to be around 2.28 eV and 2.75 eV, respectively.