Green synthesis of CrFe2O4 nanoparticles using Cucumis sativus as a natural surfactant

In the present paper, we report a green synthesis of CrFe2O4 nanoparticles using Cucumis sativus peel extract as a natural surfactant. The coprecipitation route was explored to produce CrFe2O4 nanoparticles by varying Cucumis sativus peel extract composition. The CrFe2O4 nanoparticles were characterized by means of X-ray diffractometer, scanning electron microscope, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The results of X-ray diffraction data analysis indicated that the change in the diffraction peak to the higher position of 2 theta was influenced by Cucumis sativus peel extract composition. All samples constructed spinel structure in a single phase without any impurity. The scanning electron microscope images showed that the samples had particle size in the nanometric scale and tended to form a spherical shape. In general, the particle size and morphology of the particles were contributed by Cucumis sativus peel extract composition. The absorption bands for atomic bonds of O-H were detected at the wavenumber of 1379, 1614, and 3400-3479 cm(-1), while C-H bonds were recorded at the wavenumber of 30003400 cm(-1). Furthermore, Fe-O and Cr-O bonds appeared at the wavenumber of 430-669 cm(-1). Therefore, natural surfactant obtained from Cucumis sativus peel extract in this work becomes a new potential candidate to produce magnetic nanoparticles in large scale production. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.