Characterization and magnetic properties of nanocrystalline CuFe2O4, NiFe2O4, ZnFe2O4 powders prepared by the Aloe vera extract solution

This study reports the simple synthesis of MFe2O4 (where M = Cu, Ni, and Zn) nanoparticles by a modified sol-gel method using high purity metal nitrates and aloe vera plant extracted solution. Using of aloe vera extract simplifies the process and provides an alternative process for a simple and economical synthesis of nanocrystalline ferrites. The obtained precursors were characterized by TG/DTA to determine the thermal decomposition and subsequently were cc at different temperatures in the range of 600–900 °C for 2 h to obtain the ferrite nanoparticles. The calcined samples were characterized by XRD, FT-IR, SEM, and TEM. All the prepared samples are polycrystalline and have spinel structure with crystallite sizes of 15–70 nm. The crystallite size increases with increasing the calcination temperature. Magnetic properties of the prepared ferrite samples were measured using Vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The room temperature magnetic behavior of as-prepared ferrite powders can be explained as the results of the three important factors: impurity phase of a-Fe2O3, cationic distribution in spinel structure, and the surface spin structure of nanoparticles.