Green synthesis of CuFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles using natural extracts: structural, optical and magnetic studies

Abstract

There has been a growing interest in green synthetic methods of nanoscale materials based on natural extracts as they can have potential applications in various technologies and be benign to the environment. Here, copper ferrite (CuFe₂O₄) nanoparticles (NPs) are green synthesized through the utilization of natural extract surfactants (Cinnamon zeylanicum and Aloe vera) to act as fuel agents in a combustion method. For comparison purposes, CuFe₂O₄ NPs are also synthesized by polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) surfactant, while also investigating structural, morphological, optical, and magnetic properties of the resulting NPs by different techniques. X-ray diffraction patterns indicate the formation of cubic and tetragonal crystal structures using Aloe vera and PVP surfactants, respectively. Field-emission scanning electron microscopic images reveal significant reductions in average size of the green synthesized NPs compared to those prepared in the presence of PVP surfactant. However, the bandgap values of the NPs are similar to each other. Hysteresis loop measurements show enhanced saturation magnetization (M_s= 39.63 emu/g) and decreased coercivity (H_c= 57 Oe) of CuFe₂O₄ NPs using Aloe vera surfactant compared to M_s= 22.43 emu/g and H_c= 1260 Oe obtained by PVP surfactant. In this regard, first-order reversal curve analysis manifests predominant superparamagnetic contribution of the NPs synthesized in the presence of Aloe vera natural extract.