Synthesis, characterizations, and challenges of magnetic Zn x Fe 2-x O 3 nanoparticles

Notice

This is an unedited manuscript accepted for publication and provided as an Article in Press for early access at the author’s request. The article will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and galley proof review before final publication. Please be aware that errors may be identified during production that could affect the content. All legal disclaimers of the journal apply.

Year : 2026 | Volume : 28 | 02 | Page :
    By

    Gizachew Diga Milki,

  1. Associate Professor, Department of Physics, Jimma University,, Ethiopia, Africa

Abstract

Diluted magnetic semiconductors comprising magnetic nanoparticles are a driving force in a variety of applications, including biomedicine, bioelectronics, photocatalytic activities, and nanosensors. However, the functionality of these nanomaterials can be influenced by several factors, such as synthesis route, characterization procedures, source, crystal size, and morphology. In this research, emphasis is devoted to synthesizing and characterizing magnetic nanoparticles. Most importantly, it is focused on biological methods, Co-precipitation methods, hydrothermal Gravity methods, solid-state reaction methods, sol-gel method, solvothermal method, methods, Polyol method, and pulsed laser deposition method. The research also underpins the impact of rheological conditions, including pressure, temperature, magnetic fields, and concentration, on the choice, cost, quality, and production yield. Herein, the synthesis process, significance, and challenges associated with each synthesis method are discussed.  Moreover, the potential role of these synthesis methods and characterization methods, including EDX, XPS, FIB-SEM, and HRTEM, was presented. Moreover, magnetic nanoparticles, primarily Zn x Fe 2-x O 3 nanoparticles and their functionality as therapeutic agents, Hyperthermia, diagnosis, imaging, biosensing, and drug delivery systems are discussed.

Keywords: Magnetic nanoparticles, synthesis route, characterization methods, rheological conditions, biosensors, therapeutic agent, hyperthermia, diagnosis.

How to cite this article:
Gizachew Diga Milki. Synthesis, characterizations, and challenges of magnetic Zn x Fe 2-x O 3 nanoparticles. Nano Trends – A Journal of Nano Technology & Its Applications. 2026; 28(02):-.
How to cite this URL:
Gizachew Diga Milki. Synthesis, characterizations, and challenges of magnetic Zn x Fe 2-x O 3 nanoparticles. Nano Trends – A Journal of Nano Technology & Its Applications. 2026; 28(02):-. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/nts/article=2026/view=244507


References

  1. Zijun Jiang et al. Nanomedicine potentiates mild photothermal therapy for tumor ablation, Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2021 V.16. 738–761
  2. Kefeli K K., et al., Synthesis and characterization of magnetic nanoparticles and study their removal capacity of metals from acid mine drainage.Chemical Engineering Journal. 2015, Vol-276, Pages 222-231. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2015.04.066
  3. Trang Minh Nguyen Thai et al. Synthesis of Fe 2 O 3 Polymorph Thin Films via a Pulsed Laser Deposition Technique, New Physics Sae Muli. 2014 64 (3):252-255
  4. Piotr Kupracz et al. The pulsed laser ablation synthesis of colloidal iron oxide nanoparticles for the enhancement of TiO 2 nanotube photo-activity, applied surface
    science. 2020 530(7):147097
  5. Hoang Nguyen HN, Tinet E, Chauveau T, Geinguenaud F, Lalatonne Y, Michel A, Aid- Launais R, Journé C, Lefèbvre C, Simon-Yarza T, Motte L. Bimodal fucoidan-coated zinc oxide/iron oxide-based nanoparticles for the imaging of atherothrombosis.Lee, S.; Lee, K.; Kang, Y.-M.; Lee, J.-W.; Park, J.; Yoo, S.-I.; Park, C. Synthesis of Ce-Based RE 2 Fe 14 B by Solid-State Reaction and Reduction-Diffusion Process. Appl. Sci. 2024, 14, 11253. https://doi.org/10.3390/app142311253
  6. Bokov D, Turki Jalil A, Chupradit S, Suksatan W, Javed Ansari M, Shewael IH, Valiev GH, Kianfar E. Nanomaterial by sol‐gel method: synthesis and application. Advances in materials science and engineering. 2021;2021(1):5102014.J.K. Furdyna. Diluted magnetic semiconductors, J. Appl. Phys. 1988, V. 64. R29
  7. Wojciech Szczerba et al. pushing up the magnetization values for iron oxide nanoparticles via zinc doping: X-ray studies on the particle’s sub-nano structure of different synthesis routes. Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2016, 18, 25221-25229
  8. J. Grotel et al. structure and Hyperfine Interactions of Fe-Doped ZnO Powder Prepared by Co-Precipitation Method, 2018, Vol. 134
  9. Cristina Blanco et al. Synthesis of nanoparticles for biomedical application. Annu. Rep. Prog. Chem., 2010, 106, 553-568.
  10. Chan Oeurn Chey, Synthesis of ZnO and transition metals doped ZnO nanostructures, their characterization and sensing applications, 2015, ISBN: 978-91-7519-206-2.
  11. M. Mohapatra, and S. Anand, synthesis and applications of nano-structured iron oxides/hydroxides 2010, Vol. 2, №. 8, Pp. 127-146
  12. Hiromichi Hayashi et al. Hydrothermal Synthesis of Metal Oxide Nanoparticles in Supercritical Water. Materials 2010, 3(7), 3794-3817
  13. Yong X. Gan et al. Hydrothermal Synthesis of Nanomaterials, Journal of Nanomaterials, 2020, 1-3, 89170
  14. Qi G., et al. Preparation of CoFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles based on high-gravity technology and application for the removal of lead. Chemical Engineering research and design. 2019, Vol 147, Pages 520-528
  15. Wang A S., et al. Synthesis of monodispersed inorganic nanoparticles by high gravity technology for multifunctional applications. Current opinion in chemical engineering. 2025, Vol 47, 101060. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coche.2024.101060
  16. Hailong. Hu, Yuan, Sean Lim, Chun H. Wang, phase structure dependence of magnetic behavior in iron oxide nanorodes, 2020, V. 1855,108241
  17. A. Manohar, C. Krishnamoorthi, Photocatalytic study and superparamagnetic nature of Zn-doped MgFe 2 O 4  colloidal size nanocrystals prepared by Solvothermal reflux method, Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B. Biology, 2017, V. 173. Pp. 456-4650.6, 025
  18. Lagerkvist U et al. Solution-Chemical Synthesis of Cobalt and Iron: Zinc Oxide Nanocomposite Films. Digital Comprehensive Summaries of Uppsala Dissertations from the Faculty of Science and Technology, 2016, 1356. 85 Pp. 11-76
  19. R. K. Das et al. Biological synthesis of metallic nanoparticles: Nanotechnology, Environ. Eng. 2017. 2:18
  20. Jag Prêt Singh, et al., Green’ synthesis of metals and their oxide nanoparticles: applications for environmental remediation 2018. 16:84
  21. F.I. Bassey et al. Heavy Metals in Soils and Tomatoes Grown in Urban Fringe Environment in Asaba, Delta State, Journal of Basic and Applied Science (2014), 22
    (1&2): 27-31
  22. Cheruth, A.J., Al Baloushi, S.A.M., Karthishwaran, K. et al. Medicinally active principles analysis of Tephrosia apollinea (Delile) DC. Growing in the United Arab
    Emirates. BMC Res Notes 2017. 10, 61
  23. S. K. Hosseinihashemi et al., Chemical Composition of Taxus baccata L. Leaves and Male Cones Water: Methanol Extracts, J. Science 2020. V. 16, Issue 3, pp. 251-255
  24. Shamaila Sajad et al. Green Synthesis of Metal-Based Nanoparticles and Their Applications: Synthesis, Characterization and Their Applications. Green Metal
    Nanoparticles. 2018. Pp.23-77
  25. Dudchenko N et al, Magnetite Nanoparticles: Synthesis and Applications in Optics and Nanophotonic Materials 2022, 15, 2601.
  26. Shimoshige H et al. Formation of Core-Shell Nanoparticles Composed of Magnetite and Samarium Oxide in Magnetospirillum magneticum Strain RSS-1. PLoS ONE 2017, 12(1): e0170932
  27. Mai Abdeen et al. Microbial-Physical Synthesis of Fe and Fe3O4 Magnetic Nanoparticles Using Aspergillus niger YESM1 and Supercritical Condition of Ethanol, Journal of Nanomaterials, 2016, V. 10. 1155, 1-7
  28. Vargas G et al. Applications of Magneto tactic Bacteria, Magnetosomes and Magnetosomes Crystals in Biotechnology and Nanotechnology: Mini-Review, Molecules
    2018, 23, 2438.
  29. Dasdag S, Bektas H. Magneto tactic Bacteria and their Application in Medicine. J Phys Chem Biophysics, 2014. 4: 141
  30. Somayeh Shams, Ternary Nanocomposite of ZnFe2O4/α-Fe2O3/ZnO; Synthesis via Co precipitation Method and Physical Properties Characterization. Research square, 2021, ISSN 2693-5015
  31. Prof. Dr. Roland Wiesendanger, et al. Center for Solid State and Nanostructure Physics, 2004, 9 -11
  32. M. Sharmila et al. Novel synthesis of undopped and zinc doped iron oxide nanoparticles using Apis Mellifera, Material today.2022. V.50. 7. 2647-2649
  33. Joan Talibaw et al. Facile Zn and Ni Co-Doped Hematite Nanorodes for Efficient Photocatalytic Water Oxidation, 2022; 12(17): 2961
  34. Shuang Yang et al, Synthesis of Zn(II) doped magnetite leaf like Nanorings for Efficient Electromagnetic Wave Absorption. 2017, 7:45480
  35. Gu L, Wang N, Tang X, Changela HG. Application of FIB-SEM Techniques for the Advanced Characterization of Earth and Planetary Materials. Scanning. 2020 Jul
    25;2020:8406917. doi: 10.1155/2020/8406917.
  36. Mura F, Cognigni F, Ferroni M, Morandi V, Rossi M. Advances in Focused Ion Beam Tomography for Three-Dimensional Characterization in Materials Science. Materials (Basel). 2023 Aug 24;16(17):5808. doi: 10.3390/ma16175808.
  37. Manish Kumar et al. Synthesis of ultra small iron oxide and doped iron oxide nanostructures and their antimicrobial activities. Journal of Taibah University of Science, 2019, V. 13(1), 280-285.
  38. Ghosh and R N. Basu, Noble metal-metal oxide hybrid nanoparticles, fundamental and applications, Micro and Nano Technology, 2019, V.10, Pp. 65-93
  39. Jacob J J., et al. Magnetotactic bacteria and magnetosomes – Scope and challenges. Material science and Engineering C. Vol 68, 1 November 2016, Pages 919-928
  40. Dudchenko N, Pawar S, Perelshtein I, Fixler D. Magnetite Nanoparticles: Synthesis and Applications in Optics and Nanophotonics. Materials (Basel). 2022 Apr 1;15(7):2601. doi: 10.3390/ma15072601.
  41. Vinukonda A., et al. Synthesis of nanoparticles using advanced techniques. Next Nanotechnology, 2025, 100169, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nxnano.2025.100169
  42. Mahajan R, Suriyanarayanan S, Nicholls IA. Improved Solvothermal Synthesis of γ- Fe 2 O 3 Magnetic Nanoparticles for SiO 2 Coating. Nanomaterials (Basel). 2021 Jul 23;11(8):1889. doi: 10.3390/nano11081889.
  43. Ren G., et al. Preparation of Mn-FeO X /ZSM-5 by high-gravity method for heterogeneous catalytic ozonation of nitrobenzene. Journal of cleaner production. 2022, Vol 380, part I, 134997
  44. Nassar KI, Teixeira SS, Graça MPF. Sol-Gel-Synthesized Metal Oxide Nanostructures: Advancements and Prospects for Spintronic Applications-A Comprehensive Review. Gels. 2025 Aug 19;11(8):657. doi: 10.3390/gels11080657. PMID: 40868788.
  45. Basha, S.A., Cole, S., Divakaran, D., Suyambulingam, I. (2024). Solid State Reaction Method for Nanomaterials Synthesis: A Comprehensive Review on Characterization, Properties, and Applications. In: Mavinkere Rangappa, S., Palaniappan, S.K., Siengchin, S. (eds) Proceedings of the International Conference on Eco-friendly Fibers and Polymeric Materials. EFPM 2024. Springer Proceedings in Materials, vol 60. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-97-7071-7_47
  46. Kumar D., et al.,Pulsed laser deposition assisted novel synthesis of self-assembled magnetic nanoparticles. Composites part B: Engineering 2004, Vol 35, 2, Pages 149-155
  47. Naderi-Samani H, Shoja Razavi R. Synthesis of nanoparticles using pulsed laser [Internet]. Pulsed Laser Processing of Materials. IntechOpen; 2024. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.1004415.
  48. Holder C. F., and Schaak, R. E., Tutorial on Powder X-ray Diffraction for Characterizing Nanoscale Materials. ACS Nano 2019, 13, 7, 7359–7365.
  49. Scimeca M, Bischetti S, Lamsira HK, Bonfiglio R, Bonanno E. Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) microanalysis: A powerful tool in biomedical research and diagnosis. Eur J Histochem. 2018 Mar 15;62(1):2841. doi: 10.4081/ejh.2018.2841.
  50. Tayefeh A. et al., XPS study of size effects of Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles on crosslinking degree of magnetic TFN membrane. Polymer Testing, 2019, Vol. 73, Pages 232-241
  51. 51. Miller, D. (2020, November 16). Accelerating Multi-Modal Materials Characterization with Plasma FIB-SEM. AZoM. https://www.azom.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=19833.
  52. Ali A, Shah T, Ullah R, Zhou P, Guo M, Ovais M, Tan Z, Rui Y. Review on Recent Progress in Magnetic Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Characterization, and Diverse
    Applications. Front Chem. 2021 Jul 13;9:629054. doi: 10.3389/fchem.2021.629054.
  53. Bian L, et al. Ultramicrotomy preparation of magnetic nanoparticles for transmission electron microscopy. Ultramicroscopy.2021 Vol 227, 113275.
  54. Berger, C., Watson, H., Naismith, J.H. et al. Xenon plasma focused ion beam lamella fabrication on high-pressure frozen specimens for structural cell biology. Nat Commun 16, 2286 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-57493-3
Ahead of Print Subscription Original Research
Volume 28
02
Received 07/04/2026
Accepted 21/04/2026
Published 05/05/2026
Publication Time 28 Days
34

Login


My IP

PlumX Metrics