Nanoscale zinc ferrite synthesis and characterization for efficient dye removal through photo-Fenton catalytic oxidation

Zinc ferrites were synthesized through a coprecipitation method, with pH variation and with or without microwave treatment. Characterization encompassing XRD, Raman, FTIR, and UV–Vis DRS was conducted. Remarkably, the catalytic activity exhibited promising outcomes, particularly for the samples synthesized at pH 10, especially when microwave radiation was applied. In this material, it was not necessary to perform a calcination step to obtain the material’s crystalline structure. The enhanced catalytic photo-Fenton performance can be attributed to the forming of ZnFe 2 O 4 /γ–Fe 2 O 3 composites. Graphical abstract