Catalytic activity of nanocrystalline ZnM₂O₄ (M = Fe, Co) prepared via simple and facile synthesis of thermal decomposition of mixed metal complexes of Schiff bases generated from α-ketobutyric acid and diaminoguanidine

Metal complexes ([ML₂], where M = Fe, Co, or Zn; HL = 2-[(6-ethyl-5-oxo-4,5-dihydro-2H-[1,2,4]triazin-3-ylidene)-hydrazono]-butyric acid, C₉H₁₃N₅O₃) of a Schiff base derived from α-ketobutyric acid (α-KBA) and diaminoguanidine (Damgu) were synthesized and characterized using elemental, spectral, and thermal studies. The metal complexes exhibited similar decomposition behavior, with a highly exothermic final decomposition step resulting in the formation of metal oxides. Isomorphism among the complexes was revealed using a powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) technique. Solid solution precursors ([Zn_1/3M_2/3(L)₂], where M = Fe, Co) were synthesized and characterized using various physico-chemical techniques. A thermal decomposition technique was used to prepare spinel-type zinc cobaltite (ZnCo₂O₄) and zinc ferrite (ZnFe₂O₄) nanocrystalline particles with the synthesized single source precursors. Structural studies using PXRD ascertained the predominant crystal phase to be spinel. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high-resolution TEM (HRTEM) showed a mean nanoparticle size of 18 ± 2 nm. Magnetic measurements revealed a weak magnetic behavior in the synthesized spinels. In the aqueous phase, the spinels exhibited catalytic activity, reducing 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) in the presence of NaBH₄ at room temperature. Additionally, the study demonstrated that the catalyst can be recovered and reused for five cycles with a more than 85% conversion efficiency.