12, December 2025

Green synthesis of ZnFe₂O₄ nanoparticles using Hibiscus rosasinensis extract for efficient photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline under visible light

VOLUME-11; ISSUE-12; DEC-2025

Author(s): N. Bhuvaneswari1*, M. Arulmathi1

Authors Affiliations:

  1. Arulmathi1, N. Bhuvaneshwari1*

1Department of Chemistry, Chikkaiah Government Arts and Science College, Erode – 638 004, Tamilnadu, India.

DOIs:10.2015/IJIRMF/202512001     |     Paper ID: IJIRMF202512001


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Abstract:    In this study, zinc ferrite (ZnFe₂O₄) nanoparticles were successfully synthesized through an eco-friendly green synthesis route using Hibiscus rosasinensis leaf extract as a natural reducing and stabilizing agent. The structural, morphological, and functional characteristics of the as-prepared ZnFe₂O₄ were systematically investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). XRD analysis confirmed the formation of a single-phase spinel ZnFe₂O₄ structure with an average crystallite size of 20–25 nm. SEM images revealed nearly spherical-shaped nanoparticles with uniform morphology, consistent with the XRD results. FTIR spectra further verified the presence of metal–oxygen vibrations corresponding to Zn–O and Fe–O bonds, confirming the formation of the ferrite phase. The photocatalytic activity of the synthesized ZnFe₂O₄ was evaluated for the degradation of tetracycline (TC) under visible light irradiation. The photocatalyst exhibited a remarkable degradation efficiency of 90% within a short reaction period, following pseudo-first-order kinetics with a rate constant of 0.867 min⁻¹. Furthermore, stability tests demonstrated excellent reusability and structural integrity of the catalyst after multiple cycles, indicating its potential for sustainable wastewater treatment applications. Overall, the green-synthesized ZnFe₂O₄ nanoparticles offer an environmentally benign and efficient photocatalyst for the degradation of organic pollutants.

       
Key Words:  NiFe2O4, Tetracycline dégradation, Photocatalyst, Water splitting.

N. Bhuvaneswari, M. Arulmathi (2025);  Green synthesis of ZnFe₂O₄ nanoparticles using Hibiscus rosasinensis extract for efficient photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline under visible light, International Journal for Innovative Research in Multidisciplinary Field, ISSN(O): 2455-0620, Vol-11, Issue-12, Pp. 1-8.         Available on –   https://www.ijirmf.com/

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