Synthesis and characterization of novel Fe@ZnO nanosystem

• Fe doped ZnO nanoparticles have been successfully synthesized by simple sol–gel route.
• Solubility limit of Fe in ZnO matrix is found to be less than 5%.
• Fe doped ZnO nanoparticles are better photocatalytic activist than ZnO.
• Prepared particles possess intrinsic room temperature ferromagnetism.

Novel Fe@ZnO nanosystem has been synthesized by sol–gel route. We report the structural, optical, magnetic properties and photo catalytic efficiency of FexZn1−xO (x = 0.01, 0.03, 0.05) nanoparticles. The microstructure and magnetic properties have been investigated by means of X-ray diffraction and VSM respectively. XRD, TEM and SAED analysis confirm the phase purity and site substitution by Fe. Photo catalytic efficiency of pure ZnO for the removal of Methylene Blue dye (pollutant) has been improved with the addition of Fe. All samples are found to be ferromagnetic at room temperature. Subtle enhancement in saturation magnetization is found with Fe doping in ZnO matrix. The variation of magnetization with temperature has been studied at an applied field of 1000 Oe. Optical band gap studies by UV–Vis studies show initially red shift and then blue shift with Fe doping. The mechanism responsible for observed results have been discussed minutely in this paper.