Synthesis of ZnFe2O4 nanocrystallites by mechanochemical reaction Original Research Article

Mechanochemical reaction of ZnO and α-Fe2O3 in a planetary mill formed an amorphous precursor, which was subsequently heated to successfully produce zinc ferrite (ZnFe2O4) nanocrystallites. The amorphous precursor and nanocrystallites were characterized by differential thermal analysis (DTA), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Calcination of the precursor powder at 600 °C led to the formation of ZnFe2O4 nanocrystallites of about 22 nm in crystal size, and most of particle was about 10–50 nm in diameter. Effect of calcination temperature on the crystal size of the nanoparticles was investigated. The mechanism of nanocrystallite growth was primarily investigated. The activation energy of ZnFe2O4 nanocrystallite formation during thermal treatment was calculated to be 18.5 kJ/mol.