Synthesis and characterization of multifunctional CdO-CuO-ZnO-Co3O4 nanocomposite

• CdO-CuO-ZnO-Co 3 O 4 nanocomposite was prepared by co-precipitation method. • Structure and morphology of the nanocomposite were studied. • Optical and electrical properties of the nanocomposite were studied. • Magnetic properties of the nanocomposite were investigated. Since its individual nanoparticles have good properties and important applications, CdO-CuO-ZnO-Co 3 O 4 nanocomposite was synthesized for the first time by using co-precipitation technique. These applications such as solar cells, photovoltaic cells, optical coatings, photocatalytic, phototransistors and supercapacitors can be enhanced after mixing the individual nanoparticles. The structural, morphological, and physical properties of the nanocomposite were characterized using various techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF), diffuse reflectance UV–Vis spectroscopy (DR), and vibrating sample magnetometers (VSM). The XRD analysis confirmed the formation of crystalline phases of CdO, CuO, ZnO, and Co 3 O 4 in the nanocomposite. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) images of the nanocomposite sample showed spherical nanoparticles with an average particle size of 17 nm. TXRF analysis confirmed the presence of Cd, Cu, Zn, Co, and O in the nanocomposite. The optical response revealed distinct absorption patterns of CdO, CuO, ZnO, Co 3 O 4 nanoparticles, as well as CdO-CuO-ZnO-Co 3 O 4 nanocomposite, in the visible region between 400 nm and 700 nm. The nanocomposite exhibits a reduced optical band gap and significantly enhanced DC electrical conductivity compared to the individual nanoparticles, indicating improved light absorption and charge transport properties. The values of saturation magnetization ( M s ), coercively magnetic field ( H c ), retentively magnetization ( M r ) and magnetic energy U (erg/g) for CdO-CuO-ZnO-Co 3 O 4 nanocomposite were less than those of individual nanoparticles.