Synthesis of zinc ferrite (ZnFe2O4) using microwave assisted coprecipitation method and its effectivity toward photodegradation of malachite green

Abstract

Zinc ferrite (ZnFe2O4) nanoparticles is one of the semiconductor materials that can be used as a catalyst in photodegradation of malachite green. In this research, the synthesis of ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles was conducted by using the coprecipitation method with microwave assistance. Its effectivity in photodegradation of malachite green was studied. Based on the results of XRD characterization, ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles was successfully synthesized with NaOH concentration of 1, 1.5, and 2 M. The XRD diffraction peaks produced were following JCPDS Card No. 22-1012. The analysis of the BET method showed that the surface area of ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles with NaOH concentrations of 1; 1.5; and 2 M were 1,030.268; 2,225.193; and 1,974.447 m2/g respectively. In addition, the photodegradation result of malachite green showed that ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles with an NaOH concentration of 2 M was able to degrade 88.5% of malachite green in 90 minutes.