Solid-phase synthesis of ZnFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> and electrochemical properties

The synthesis and electrophysical properties of spinel ferrite ZnFe₂O₄ obtained by solid-phase interaction using mechanoactivation have been considered in this study. The study encompasses a comprehensive analysis of the phase composition and crystal structure, employing X-ray phase analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, and differential thermal analysis to elucidate the thermal effects and synthesis steps. Impedance spectroscopy was employed to investigate the electrophysical properties, thereby confirming the considerable impact of firing temperature on electrical conductivity. The results demonstrate that the electrical conductivity of the material increases by an order of magnitude when the firing temperature is increased up to 1000°C. This suggests the potential for the use of ZnFe2O4 as a cathode material for lithium-ion and metal-ion batteries. This work emphasises the importance of optimising synthesis conditions to achieve high performance of electrode materials.