Facile synthesis and characterization of ZnFe2O4/ZnO nanocomposite: An insight into structure and formation

Structural properties of nanocomposites strongly depend on preparation method as well as heat treatment and greatly affect their physical properties. This paper presents a comprehensive study on structure of ZnFe2O4/ZnO nanocomposite prepared by using a low-temperature thermal treatment process. Crystal structure, microstructure, local structure, composition, valence state, morphology, magnetic properties, and photocatalytic activities of the nanocomposite have been systematically investigated by using Fourier transform infrared spectra, synchrotron X-ray diffraction, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscope, vibrating sample magnetometer and UV-vis spectrophotometer. The obtained results have shown that the nanocomposite is composed of sphere-like ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles with high inversion parameter combined with rod-like nanostructures of ZnO. The nanocomposite exhibits superparamagnetic behavior at room temperature and good photocatalytic activity toward methylene blue degradation. The effects of ZnO precipitation process on structure of the ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles as well as the role of the nanoparticles in formation and growth of ZnO have been clarified based on the detailed structural information identified from synchrotron X-ray diffraction data using the Rietveld refinement method and extended X-ray absorption fine structure analysis.