Structural, Optical, and Magnetic Characteristics of NiFe2O4 Nanoparticles Synthesized from Natural Iron Sand for Solar-Driven Photocatalysis

NiFe₂O₄ nanoparticles were successfully synthesized via a coprecipitation method using natural iron sand from Kata Beach, Pariaman, as the Fe source. The effect of synthesis pH on the crystal structure, morphology, optical, magnetic, electrical, and photocatalytic properties of the materials was systematically explored. X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed a cubic spinel structure for all samples, while Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra revealed characteristic tetrahedral and octahedral lattice vibrations between 400–600 cm^-1. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed significant morphological variations with pH adjustment. The nanoparticles exhibited bandgap energies of 1.52–1.54 eV, enabling strong visible-light absorption, and displayed soft magnetic behavior with saturation magnetization (Ms) of 4.4–7.5 emu/g and remanent magnetization (Mr) of 0.16–0.188 emu/g. A slight variation in bandgap energy from 1.54 to 1.52 eV was observed across the pH range investigated. Notably, NiFe₂O₄ exhibited excellent photocatalytic performance under sunlight, achieving degradation efficiencies of 98%, 84%, and 86% for Congo Red, Methylene Blue, and tetracycline antibiotic, respectively. These findings highlight NiFe₂O₄ as a highly versatile and efficient material for environmental remediation, particularly for treating water contaminated with organic pollutants.

NiFe2O4 nanoparticles; Iron sand; Magnetic; Organic pollutant; Photocatalyst

Abouhaswa, A. S., Badr, M. H., El Komy, G. M., & Abomostafa, H. M. (2024). Influence of the Mn/Fe ratio on structural, optical, electrical and magnetic characteristics of Mn-FeMgNiO spinel ferrites. Inorganic Chemistry Communications, 166, 112647. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.inoche.2024.112647

Aggarwal, D., Bhavika, Kaur, M., Bansal, S., & Singhal, S. (2025). Fabrication of eco-friendly NiFe2O4 nanocatalysts via plant extract-mediated synthesis: Kinetic and mechanistic insights into photocatalytic degradation of an anthraquinone dye and tetracycline antibiotic. Journal of Molecular Structure, 1319. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molstruc.2024.139365

Alshehri, A., Alharbi, L., Wani, A. A., & Malik, M. A. (2024). Biogenic punica granatum flower extract assisted ZnFe2O4 and ZnFe2O4-Cu composites for excellent photocatalytic degradation of RhB dye. Toxics, 12 (1), Article 77. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12010077

Al-Tohamy, R., Ali, S. S., Li, F., Okasha, K. M., Mahmoud, Y. A. G., Elsamahy, T., Jiao, H., Fu, Y., & Sun, J. (2022). A critical review on the treatment of dye-containing wastewater: Ecotoxicological and health concerns of textile dyes and possible remediation approaches for environmental safety. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 231, 113160. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.113160

Baby, J. N., Sriram, B., Wang, S. F., & George, M. (2020). Effect of various deep eutectic solvents on the sustainable synthesis of MgFe2O4 nanoparticles for simultaneous electrochemical determination of nitrofurantoin and 4-nitrophenol. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, 8, 1479–1486. https://doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.9b05755

Bhaduri, B., Dikshit, A. K., Kim, T. Y., & Tripathi, K. M. (2022). Research progress and prospects of spinel ferrite nanostructures for the removal of nitroaromatics from wastewater. ACS Applied Nano Materials, 5, 16000–16026. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsanm.2c02684

Biswas, B., Ahmed, M. F., Rahman, M. L., Khanam, J., Bhuiyan, M. H. R., & Sharmin, N. (2024). Investigation of structural, optical, and magnetic properties of NiFe2O4 for efficient photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants through photo-Fenton reactions. Heliyon, 10, e37199. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e37199

Chakraborty, A., Bhattacharjee, B., & Ahmaruzzaman, M. (2025). A sustainable pathway for the photodegradation of rhodamine b dye using Mn-doped CaFe2O4 anchored on citrus fruit peel-derived biochar matrix. Inorganic Chemistry Communications, 171. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.inoche.2024.113444

Chavan, R., Mujawar, S.P. of M.B.U.R.C.F.N., Dawkar, V., More, V., Pawar, N., Patil, R., Jadhav, J., Mustafa, J., Jameel, B., Muhaisen, H. M. H., Mohammed, A. Y. A., & Chougale, A. (2024). Enhanced photodegradation of methylene blue using reusable cobalt ferrite nanocomposites. Science of Advanced Materials, 16, 589–595. https://doi.org/10.1166/sam.2024.4689

Cheng, Y., Zhang, S., Wang, Z., Wang, B., You, J., Guo, R., & Zhang, H. (2023). Review on spinel ferrites-based materials (MFe2O4) as photo-Fenton catalysts for degradation of organic pollutants. Separation and Purification Technology, 318, 123971. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2023.123971

Coromelci, C., Neamtu, M., Ignat, M., Samoila, P., Zaltariov, M. F., & Palamaru, M. (2022). Ultrasound assisted synthesis of heterostructured TiO2/ZnFe2O4 and TiO2/ZnFe1.98La0.02O4 systems as tunable photocatalysts for efficient organic pollutants removal. Ceramics International, 48, 4829–4840. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2021.11.019

Debnath, S., & Das, R. (2020). Study of the optical properties of Zn doped Mn spinel ferrite nanocrystals shows multiple emission peaks in the visible range — a promising soft ferrite nanomaterial for deep blue LED. Journal of Molecular Structure, 1199. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molstruc.2019.127044

Fang, K., Zhang, Y., Yin, J., Yang, T., Li, K., Wei, L., Li, J., & He, W. (2022). Hydrogel beads based on carboxymethyl cassava starch/alginate enriched with MgFe2O4 nanoparticles for controlling drug release. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 220, 573–588. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.08.081

Ghahfarokhi, S. E. M., & Shobegar, E. M. (2020). Influence of pH on the structural, magnetic and optical properties of SrFe2O4 nanoparticles. Journal of Materials Research and Technology, 9, 12177–12186. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmrt.2020.08.063

Jabbar, R., Shahatha, S. H., Kadhim, N., Magid, B., & Showard, A. F. (2024). Preparation and study of the effect of pH value on structural, morphological, electrical and magnetic properties of CoFe2O4 nanoparticles prepared by sol-gel precipitation method. Ceramics International, 50, 31114–31123. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2024.05.417

Jasrotia, R., Jaswal, N., Prakash, J., Kit, C. C., Singh, J., & Kandwal, A. (2024). Photocatalytic application of magnesium spinel ferrite in wastewater remediation: A review. Journal of Magnesium and Alloys, 12, 490–505. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jma.2024.02.006

Khatun, N., Osman Goni, M., Islam, M. S., Aftab Ali Shaikh, M., Uddin Farhad, S. F., Al-Mamun, M., Alam, M. S., Islam Tanvir, N., Sajjad Hossain, M., Paul, T., & Islam, S. (2025). Impact of lanthanum ions on structural, morphological, magnetic, optical and electrical properties of cobalt-zinc ferrites. Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials, 614. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmmm.2024.172740

Kristina, N. P. D., Arjana, I. G., & Yasa, P. (2024). Synthesis and characterization of magnetite nanomaterials in Tianyar iron sand using co-precipitation method. Indonesian Physical Review, 7 (3), 398–413. https://doi.org/10.29303/ipr.v7i3.328

Kurniasari, M., Tri, H., Murti, B., Nurul, S., Jenie, A., & Kusumastuti, Y. (2025). Facile synthesis and characterization of magnetite mesoporous silica nanoparticles from local iron. International Journal of Technology, 16 (2), 448–457. https://doi.org/10.14716/ijtech.v16i2.6477

Kurniawan, D., Saputera, W. H., & Sasongko, D. (2025). Photocatalytic NOx reduction to ammonia using zirconium incorporated g-C3N4 catalyst. International Journal of Technology, 16 (6), 2043–2061. https://doi.org/10.14716/ijtech.v16i6.7654

Lee, Y. S., Lee, K. M., & Ong, B. H. (2025). Magnetic recoverable cobalt ferrite nanophotocatalyst for crystal violet dye degradation. Ceramics International, 51, 39630–39638. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2025.06.198

Majid, F., Rauf, J., Ata, S., Bibi, I., Malik, A., Ibrahim, S. M., Ali, A., & Iqbal, M. (2021). Synthesis and characterization of NiFe2O4 ferrite: Sol–gel and hydrothermal synthesis routes effect on magnetic, structural and dielectric characteristics. Materials Chemistry and Physics, 258, 123888. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matchemphys.2020.123888

Malik, A. R., Aziz, M. H., Atif, M., Irshad, M. S., Ullah, H., Gia, T. N., Ahmed, H., Ahmad, S., & Botmart, T. (2022). Lime peel extract induced NiFe2O4 NPs: Synthesis to applications and oxidative stress mechanism for anticancer, antibiotic activity. Journal of Saudi Chemical Society, 26, 101422. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jscs.2022.101422

Mardana, I. B. P., Nur Lutfiyah, Y., Yasa, P., & Agung Widiantara, G. K. (2024). Synthesis and characterization of magnetite Fe3O4 nanoparticles from natural iron sand in Gelar river. Indonesian Physical Review, 7 (1), 166–174. https://doi.org/10.29303/ipr.v7i1.296

Mohammed, N. A. H., Shamma, R. N., Elagroudy, S., & Adewuyi, A. (2024). Chitosan incorporated nickel ferrite photocatalyst for complete photocatalytic degradation of ciprofloxacin, ampicillin and erythromycin in water. Results in Chemistry, 7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rechem.2024.101307

Nengsih, S., Nur Abdulmadjid, S., Mursal, M., & Jalil, Z. (2024). Photocatalytic performance of Fe3O4-TiO2 in the degradation of methylene blue dye: Optimizing the usability of natural iron sand. Materials Science for Energy Technologies, 7, 374–380. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mset.2024.06.001

Nugrahaningtyas, K. D., Nurcahyo, I. F., Putri, D. Y., & Santoso, S. J. (2025). Kaolinite-based photocatalysts for azo dyes degradation under xenon and sunlight irradiations: The effects of electro-deionization and impregnation methods. International Journal of Technology, 16 (5), 1716–1730. https://doi.org/10.14716/ijtech.v16i5.7624

Rahmayeni, Farhan, R., Wendari, T. P., & Stiadi, Y. (2025). Magnetic nanocomposite of hydroxyapatite/Co-doped ZnFe2O4 synthesized by green technology: Structure, character, and application. International Journal of Technology, 16 (5), 1682–1699. https://doi.org/10.14716/ijtech.v16i5.7291

Rahmayeni, Putri, J., Stiadi, Y., Zilfa, & Zulhadjri. (2019). Green synthesis of NiFe2O4 spinel ferrites magnetic in the presence of hibiscus rosa-sinensis leaves extract: Morphology, structure and activity. Rasayan Journal of Chemistry, 12, 1942–1949. https://doi.org/10.31788/RJC.2019.1245304

Rahmayeni, R., Oktavia, Y., Stiadi, Y., Arief, S., & Zulhadjri, Z. (2021). Spinel ferrite of MnFe2O4 synthesized in piper betle linn extract media and its application as photocatalysts and antibacterial. Journal of Dispersion Science and Technology, 42. https://doi.org/10.1080/01932691.2020.1721011

Ramu, A. G., & Choi, D. (2021). Highly efficient and simultaneous catalytic reduction of multiple toxic dyes and nitrophenols waste water using highly active bimetallic PdO–NiO nanocomposite. Scientific Reports, 11. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-01989-7

Rasheed, S., Nadeem, S., Nawaz, R., Razzaque, S., Mahmood, A., Zidan, A., Al-Masry, W., Javed, M., Ditta, N. A., Bahadur, A., Iqbal, S., Mahmood, S., & Akhter, T. (2025). Revolutionizing textile wastewater treatment: Enhanced degradation of dyes using bimetallic zinc ferrite-GO nanocomposites. Journal of Molecular Structure, 1320, 139480. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molstruc.2024.139480

Riyanti, F., Nurhidayah, Purwaningrum, W., Yuliasari, N., & Hariani, P. L. (2023). MgFe2O4 magnetic catalyst for photocatalytic degradation of Congo red dye in aqueous solution under visible light irradiation. Environment and Natural Resources Journal, 21, 322–332. https://doi.org/10.32526/ennrj/21/20230002

Roberta, I., Jos, A., Sara, I., Garcia, D. G., Lenzi, G., Antonio, M., Cambraia, O., Fidelis, Z., Dalla, R., & Brackmann, R. (2024). Magnetic NiFe2O4/TiO2 heterostructures for the photocatalytic decontamination of glyphosate in water. Materials Science in Semiconductor Processing, 174. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mssp.2024.108205

Saha, S., Routray, K. L., Hota, P., Dash, B., Yoshimura, S., Ratha, S., & Nayak, T. K. (2024). Structural, magnetic and dielectric properties of green synthesized Ag doped NiFe2O4 spinel ferrite. Journal of Molecular Structure, 1302. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molstruc.2023.137409

Salih, S. J., & Mahmood, W. M. (2023). Review on magnetic spinel ferrite (MFe2O4) nanoparticles: From synthesis to application. Heliyon, 9, e16601. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e16601

Salomo, S., Erwin, E., Malik, U., & Putra, S. U. (2018). Sifat magnetik dan ukuran partikel magnetik serta komposisi material pasir besi Pantai Kata Pariaman Sumatera Barat di sintesa dengan iron sand separator dan ball milling. Jurnal Online Fisika, 3 (2), 11–14. https://doi.org/10.22437/jop.v3i2.5730

Saputra, C., Cahyoutomo, H., Sendong, J., & Togibasa, O. (2020). Sintesis magnesium ferit berbasis pasir besi dari Sarmi menggunakan metode kopresipitasi. Jurnal Fisika Flux: Jurnal Ilmiah Fisika FMIPA Universitas Lambung Mangkurat, 17 (2), 94. https://doi.org/10.20527/flux.v17i2.6932

Sukandar, D., Adawiah, A., Rohman, S., Fitria, S., & Saridewi, N. (2024). Synthesis of MgFe2O4 nanoparticles and its application for photodegradation of methylene blue. Bulletin of Chemical Reaction Engineering & Catalysis, 19, 548–559. https://doi.org/10.9767/bcrec.20222

Tripta & Rana, P. S. (2023). Structural, optical, electrical, and photocatalytic application of NiFe2O4@NiO nanocomposites for methylene blue dye. Ceramics International, 49, 13520–13530. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2022.12.227

Ullah, R., Khitab, F., Gul, H., Khattak, R., Ihsan, J., Khan, M., Khan, A., Vincevica-Gaile, Z., & Aouissi, H. A. (2023). Superparamagnetic zinc ferrite nanoparticles as visible-light active photocatalyst for efficient degradation of selected textile dye in water. Catalysts, 13 (7), Article 1061. https://doi.org/10.3390/catal13071061

Vadivel, S., Maaouni, N., Karim, M. R., Alnaser, I. A., Niyitanga, T., Kim, H., & Roy, S. (2024). Investigation of visible and UV light-induced photocatalysis properties of oleic acid-ligated cobalt-mixed magnesium ferrite nanoparticles for photodegradation of cationic and anionic dyes. International Journal of Energy Research, 2024, Article 5510976. https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/5510976

Vargas-Bustamante, J., Benítez-Flores, E., Durán-Álvarez, J. C., Cortés-Lagunes, S., Arévalo-López, E. P., Pilo, J., Antonio, J. E., Escamilla, R., & Romero, M. (2025). Comparative study of (NiFe2O4) photocatalysts for oxytetracycline degradation: Effect of synthesis method on performance stability. Materials Chemistry and Physics, 346, 131242. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matchemphys.2025.131242

Wulandhari, A., & Erwin, E. (2020). Penentuan sifat magnetik dan morfologi partikel magnetik pasir besi Pantai Arta Pariaman Sumatera Barat. Jurnal Komunikasi Fisika Indonesia, 17 (1), 14–18. https://doi.org/10.31258/jkfi.17.1.14-18

Yildirim, S., Ozler, B., Ozdemir, E. T., & Erol, M. (2025). The structural, magnetic, and optical properties of flame spray pyrolysis-derived spinel NiFe2O4 nanoparticles. Journal of the American Ceramic Society, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1111/jace.20220

Zulhadjri, Pratiwi, N., Putri, Y. E., Rahmayeni, Mufti, N., Ramli, Saraswaty, V., & Sufian, S. (2025). La3+ doped ZnFe2O4 synthesized via green chemistry approach using uncaria gambir roxb: A study on structural, optical, magnetic, and photocatalytic properties. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology A: Chemistry, 461. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotochem.2024.116168