Green synthesis of novel zinc iron oxide (ZnFe2O4) nanocomposite via Moringa Oleifera natural extract for electrochemical applications

The main motivation of the research study involves development of reliable, accurate, inexpensive and environmental friendly method for the synthesis of zinc ferrite (ZnFe₂O₄) nanocomposites. It was thought of interest to synthesized zinc ferrite via green synthetic method using Moringa Oleifera extract. For the first time, we used green synthetic route via Moringa Oleifera extract acted as both chelating and reducing agents to synthesis spinel ZnFe₂O₄ nanocomposites. The physical and electrochemical properties were characterized using different techniques such as High Resolve Transmission Electron Microscope (HRTEM) Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) X-ray diffraction (XRD) Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The XRD pattern thus clearly illustrated that the ZnFe₂O₄ nanocmposites synthesized by the green method were good crystalline in nature. The time constant and exchange current of ZnFe₂O₄ nanocomposites from EIS analysis were calculated and found to be 5.2001 × 10^-4 s/rad and 6.59432 × 10^-4 A, respectively. Based on the electrochemical results, GCE/ZnFe₂O₄ electrode exhibited a good voltametric response, high electro-activity, and excellent electrochemical performance making it a highly suitable/promising electrode for electrochemical applications.