Abstract
Mn1−xZnxFe2O4 (x=0.2–0.8) nano-crystals, synthesized from recycling of Zn–C batteries, were successfully self-assembled alongside multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) via an environmentally friend sucrose auto-combustion method. The effect of Zn-content on structural and magnetic properties were investigated and discussed. XRD revealed the formation of single-phase ferrites. DTA–TG experiment showed that the auto-combustion reaction finished at about 350°C. TEM exhibited that the MWCNTs are well decorated with ferrite particles. Hysteresis loop measurements revealed ferromagnetic behavior, with saturation magnetization decrease by the addition of MWCNTs or increasing Zn-Content. The kinetics of methylene blue dye (MB) removal using MWCNTs/Mn0.8Zn0.2Fe2O nano-composite was investigated and discussed.
TEM image of MWCNTs/Mn0.8Zn0.2Fe2O4 nano-composite showed that the MWCNTs were completely decorated with magnetic nanoparticles. The decoration passed through nucleation and growth processes in which nucleation of ferrite nanoparticles first takes place on the surface of MWCNTs followed by a subsequent growth of these nuclei.
[Display omitted]
•Mn-Zn-ferrites were obtained via recycling process of spent Zn-C batteries.•Mn1−xZnxFe2O4/MWCNTS nano-composites were synthesized via sucrose combustion route.•Zn-substitution effect on structural and magnetic properties was investigated.•MWCNTs/Mn0.8Zn0.2Fe2O4 was investigated to remove MB dye from aqueous media.