Synthesis and characterization of Fe3O4 and ZnO nanocomposites by the sol–gelmethod

In this work, magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles were first prepared from ferric nitrate (Fe(NO3)3 9H2O) and ethylene glycol (C2H6O2) in inert atmosphere using the sol–gel method. In the next stage, composite nanopowders of Fe3O4–ZnO were obtained from zinc acetate and diethanolamine via the sol–gel method. The precursor was first dried and then annealed in vacuum furnace at different temperatures. The X-ray diffraction results confirm the formation of Fe3O4–ZnO nanocomposites. Transmission Electron Microscopy showed that the prepared powders are made of the spherical shape particles with an average size of about 40 nm. Fourier transform infrared spectra for the characteristic absorption of Zn–O bond is at 453.1 cm−1and of Fe–O bond is 540.2 cm−1. Results of vibrating sample magnetometer reveal that the Fe3O4 nanoparticles are superparamagnetic, whereas in the form of Fe3O4–ZnO nanocomposites arenot.

► We prepared Fe3O4/ZnO nanocomposite powders via the sol–gel method. ► Powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction. ► EDX image. ► TEM images. ► FT-IR spectra were used for characterization of the samples. ► VSM results revealed that saturation magnetization values decreased with the increase in annealing temperature.