Synthesis and Characterization of Zinc, Iron, Copper, and Manganese Oxides Nanoparticles for Possible Application as Plant Fertilizers

Abstract

This research evaluates the synthesis and characterization of nanometric-sized metallic particles with potential application as support materials for supplying nutrients to plants. Nanoscale Zn, Mn, Fe, and Cu oxides particles were synthesized using microwave-assisted synthesis. Nanoparticles (NPs) were characterized with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), specific surface area (SSA), and total chemical analysis. Synthesized NPs were all in oxide forms and characterized for confirmation of size, shape, surface structure, crystalline nature, and study of elemental proportion. The results indicate that synthesized NPs size was ranged between 20 and 50 nm and was all in their respective oxide forms as ZnO, Mn3O4, Fe3O4, and CuO.