Observation of c-CuFe2O4 nanoparticles of the same crystallite size in different nanocomposite materials: The influence of Fe3+ cations

Abstract Two samples containing 2-line ferrihydrite and copper oxide were synthesized by coprecipitation method, via variation of Fe 3+ and Cu 2+ precursors milimolar ratio (3:1 and 3:3.1), while the other synthesis parameters were kept constant. Annealing treatment at 1100 °C resulted in the formation of c-CuFe 2 O 4 -CuO-α-Fe 2 O 3 and c-CuFe 2 O 4 -CuO nanocomposites, respectively. A comparison of properties of the prepared samples was performed by XRD, FTIR and EPR measurements. Formation mechanism of the nanocomposites is discussed with a reference to the influence of Jahn-Teller effect in CuO phase on the final CuFe 2 O 4 structure. For the first time, it is shown that the amount of Fe 3+ precursor is of key importance for the size of CuFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles, and enables preparation of c-CuFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles of the same crystallite size (46 nm) in different nanocomposite materials.