Browsing by Author "Ngema, Nokwanda Precious"

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    Green synthesis, XRD/SAXS modelling and electrochemistry of indium iron oxide nanocomposite
    (Springer Science and Business Media B.V., 2025) Ngema, Nokwanda Precious; Tshobeni, Ziyanda; January, Jaymi; Iwuoha, Emmanuel; Ngece-Ajayi, Rachel Fanelwa; Mulaudzi, Takalani
    A green synthesis approach was utilized to prepare indium iron oxide (InFeO 3 ) nanocomposites using coffee extract as a reducing and capping agent. The structural, morphological, optical, and electrochemical properties of the synthesized materials were systematically characterized through X-ray diffraction (XRD), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), high-resolution electron microscopy (HRTEM/HRSEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV–Vis spectroscopy, photoluminescence (PL), vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), and Mössbauer spectroscopy. XRD analysis confirmed the formation of a rhombohedral InFeO 3 structure with an average crystallite size of 27 nm, while HRTEM revealed spherical nanoparticles with partial agglomeration. SAXS and HRTEM data corroborated the nanoscale dimensions, with particle sizes ranging from 24 to 38 nm. Optical studies demonstrated a reduced bandgap (2.85 eV) for the composite compared to pure In 2 O 3 (3.3 eV) and Fe 2 O 3 (3.15 eV), attributed to charge transfer transitions between Fe 3+ and In 3+ . The nanocomposite exhibited enhanced magnetic properties, with a saturation magnetization (Ms) of 18.48 emu/g, and Mössbauer spectroscopy revealed disrupted super-exchange interactions due to In 3+ incorporation. Electrochemical analysis showed superior performance of the InFeO 3 -modified electrode, characterized by a higher diffusion coefficient (9.72 × 10 –5 cm 2 s −1 ) and surface concentration (4.62 × 10 –7 mol cm −2 ) compared to individual oxides, indicating improved charge transfer kinetics. These results highlight the potential of green-synthesized InFeO 3 as a promising material for electrochemical sensing applications, combining sustainability with enhanced functional properties.