Green synthesis of CuFe2O4 nanoparticles mediated by Morus alba L. leaf extract: Crystal structure, grain morphology, particle size, magnetic and catalytic properties in Mannich reaction

Copper ferrite (CuFe2O4) is one of the most popular ferrite spinel semiconductors due to its superparamagnetic properties. In this study, CuFe2O4 nanoparticles were successfully prepared through green synthesis mediated by Morus alba L. leaf extract. Secondary metabolites, such as alkaloids and saponins, in Morus alba L. leaf extract acted as a weak base provider and as a capping agent in the formation of CuFe2O4. The crystal structure, grain morphology, particle size, and magnetic properties of the nanoparticles were investigated. X-ray diffraction (XRD) data confirms the formation of the CuFe2O4 phase with a cubic Fd-3ms space group. The nanoparticles mediated by Morus alba L. have a spherical shape with distributed particle sizes at 20-70 nm. In the evaluation of stability, the nanoparticles agglomerate with a zeta potential value of -21.7 mV and have a soft ferromagnetic nature with Hc, Mr, and Ms values of 175.44 Oe, 1.75 emu/g, and 14.16 emu/g, respectively. The catalytic ability of CuFe2O4 nanoparticles in the Mannich reaction showed good catalyst performance with a yield of 83.83% at optimum conditions. Green synthesis using Morus alba L. leaf extract offers a more environmentally friendly and effective method for obtaining CuFe2O4 nanoparticles with good characteristics.