Investigation of the Structural and Optical Properties of Zinc Ferrite Nanoparticles Synthesized via a Green Route

We report herein the synthesis of ZnFe2O4 (ZF) nanoparticles via a simple and eco-friendly green route using lemon juice as a reducing agent and fuel. The effect of different calcination temperatures on the particle size and bandgap of grown ZF nanoparticles was investigated. The structural, morphological and optical properties of the synthesized nanoparticles were evaluated using synchrotron x-ray diffraction (S-XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-Vis-DRS), respectively. S-XRD confirmed a spinel F-d3m phase in all four samples calcined at 350°C, 550°C, 750°C and 1000°C. The crystallite size calculated from the Debye–Scherrer equation showed an increase from 14 nm to 20 nm with the increase in calcination temperature. Williamson–Hall (W-H) analysis revealed an increase in the particle size from 16 nm to 21 nm and a decrease in the lattice microstrain from 0.913 × 10−3 to 0.154 × 10−4 with the increase in calcination temperature. The optical bandgap of the ZF nanoparticles obtained from UV-Vis-DRS decreased from 2.265 eV to 2.225 eV with the increase in calcination temperature. The ZF nanoparticles with tunable particle size, lattice microstrain and optical bandgap have potential application in ferrofluid, electromagnetic shielding, photocatalysis, hyperthermia, dye degradation and other areas.