Structural, Morphological, Optical, Magnetic and Photocatalytic Properties of ZnO/CoFe₂O₄ Nanocomposites

ZnO and CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles were synthesized via co-precipitation route and the composites ZnO/CoFe₂O₄ (ZC1 (3 : 2), ZC2 (2 : 3), ZC3 (1 : 4)) were obtained by the sonochemical process. X-ray diffraction (XRD) study reveals the existence of two phases in the material: a hexagonal wurtzite structure of ZnO and a cubic lattice structure of CoFe₂O₄. The flower-shaped rod-like structure of ZnO nanoparticles and agglomeration of CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles are observed using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The elemental composition of the synthesized material is confirmed through energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Light absorbance performance of the material is determined by using UV-visible spectroscopy. Further, the band gap of pure and composite materials is calculated by employing a Tauc plot. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) reveals the creation of cationic and anionic bonding at different interstitial sites. The magnetic properties of the material were studied using vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). Various magnetic parameters, for instance M_s, M_r, H_c, n_B, and M_r/M_s ratio were traced from M–H loops. The photocatalytic performance of the materials under UV irradiation is examined through degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye. The efficiency of composite ZC1 is found to be better than that of pure ZnO, CoFe₂O₄ and composites ZC2 and ZC3.