Green agricultural wastes as templates for combustion synthesis of copper ferrite nanopowders: Statistically designed assessment of the influential factors

In this study, nano crystalline copper ferrite (CuFe2O4) was prepared using combustion synthesis by applying green and artificial templates. Coir fibers and corn leaves which are commonly considered as agricultural wastes were applied as templates, for the first time. Effects of the various parameters such as main fuel, added fuel type and percentage, pH, template, and main fuel to oxidizer ratio (MF/O) have been investigated using Taguchi L-16 experimental design. Results showed that the optimum conditions to reach the smallest crystallite size should be at pH of 6, using xylitol as the main fuel, main fuel to oxidizer ratio of 0.75% of the stoichiometry and utilizing no added fuel. The morphology of the products has been characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) was applied to specify the optimum sample magnetic properties. The specific surface area of the optimum sample was measured 18.2 m(2)/g by N-2 sorption analysis. X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies indicated that the structures of the prepared CuFe2O4 powders were tetragonal and the average crystallite sizes were in the range of 23.1 nm and 34.1 nm.

Automated summary

In this study, nano crystalline copper ferrite was successfully prepared using combustion synthesis with coir fibers and corn leaves as templates. The effects of various parameters on product properties were investigated, leading to the determination of optimal conditions for crystallite size, morphology, and magnetic properties. The XRD analysis revealed tetragonal structures and average crystallite sizes between 23.1 nm and 34.1 nm for the CuFe2O4 powders synthesized.