Synthesis and characterization of ZnFe2O4/ Mn2O3 nanocomposites.

In this work, spinel zinc ferrite (ZnFe₂O₄), manganese oxide (Mn₂O₃) nanoparticles (NPs) as well as a series of ZnFe₂O₄/Mn₂O₃ nanocomposites (NCs) with varying Mn₂O₃ ratio from 10 to 50 wt. % were synthesized by co-precipitation route. The structural, optical, electrical, and magnetic properties of ZnFe₂O₄/Mn₂O₃ NCs were examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy, photoluminescence (PL) emission, DC electrical conductivity, and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The XRD analysis demonstrated the existence of Mn₂O₃ and ZnFe₂O₄ phases, in addition to the formation of spinel ZnMn₂O₄ and α-Fe₂O₃ as secondary phases. The chemical interactions between the Mn₂O₃ and ZnFe₂O₄ have been confirmed by the shift in the position of the metal–oxygen (M–O) stretching modes in the FTIR spectra. The TEM images revealed the presence of cubic and spherically shaped nanoparticles in the ZnFe₂O₄/Mn₂O₃ NCs with an average size in the range of 15.52 to 19.22 nm. The nanocomposites showed strong absorption in the UV region with a calculated bandgap ranging between 3.22 and 3.26 eV. However, the nanocomposite with 10 wt. % Mn₂O₃ exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity under UV-irradiation as confirmed by PL spectroscopy. Moreover, the nanocomposite structure exhibited a significantly enhanced DC conductivity compared to ZnFe₂O₄ and attained a maximum value at 10 wt. % Mn₂O₃. The room temperature M-H curves of ZnFe₂O₄/Mn₂O₃ NCs displayed weak ferromagnetic behavior. The magnetization increases with increasing Mn₂O₃ content up to 10 wt. % and then decreases with further increase in the wt.%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]