Mixed-Phase Fe3O4/FeO Nanoclusters Derived from Jojoba Oil: Structural Insights and Electrical Performance for Sustainable Electronic Applications

Abstract

The development of sustainable nanomaterials with tunable electrical and dielectric properties is essential for next-generation electronic and functional device applications. In this work, mixed-phase iron oxide nanoclusters (Fe₃O₄/FeO) were synthesized via a green co-precipitation route using jojoba oil as a natural reducing and stabilizing agent under mild and environmentally friendly conditions. Structural characterization by FTIR, XRD, and SEM/EDX confirmed the formation of Fe–O bonds, organic surface capping, and the coexistence of magnetite (Fe₃O₄) and wüstite (FeO) phases. The synthesized nanoclusters exhibited nanoscale crystallinity and aggregated spherical morphology. Electrical investigations revealed two distinct frequency-dependent conduction mechanisms: localized hopping conduction at low frequencies and thermally activated variable-range hopping at higher frequencies. The activation energy increased progressively with frequency, indicating enhanced charge transport barriers at elevated frequencies. Dielectric measurements demonstrated pronounced temperature- and frequency-dependent behavior, with enhanced polarization and increased capacitance at higher temperatures. The observed electrical transport and dielectric characteristics highlight the suitability of the synthesized Fe₃O₄/FeO nanoclusters for dielectric, electronic, and charge-storage-related applications. These findings demonstrate that jojoba oil provides an effective and sustainable route for producing functional iron oxide nanomaterials with promising electrical performance.