One-step synthesis of zinc ferrite nanoparticles by ultrasonic wave-assisted ball milling technology

Well-crystallized zinc ferrite nanoparticles with mean size of 20 nm were synthesized at low temperature (≤100 °C) by ultrasound wave-assisted aqueous solution ball-milling technique without subsequent calcination. ZnCO3·2Zn (OH)2·H2O were used as the raw material and iron milling balls with diameter of 1.0–1.5 mm were used. As a comparison, aqueous solution ball milling without ultrasonic wave assistance was also investigated. The results showed that, this technique is simple, environmentally friendly and energy-saving for nanocrystal synthesis.