Synthesis, properties, and application in catalysis of Cu, Ni, Co, Zn ferrites: A comprehensive review study

Ferrites, especially CuFe2O4, NiFe2O4, CoFe2O4, and ZnFe2O4, have gained significant attention due to their unique magnetic, chemical/crystal stability, and catalytic properties, making them promising materials for a wide range of applications, particularly in the field of catalysis. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the principal synthesis methods employed to obtain ferrites in a green and sustainable way, emphasising how variations in the synthesis conditions affect their physicochemical properties, highlights the advantages, limitations, and potential improvements in the current synthetic methods. In this context, the impact of synthesis parameters on the structural, morphological, and magnetic properties of CuFe2O4, NiFe2O4, CoFe2O4, and ZnFe2O4 are discussed in detail. Special attention is given to the correlation between chemical composition, structure and morphology of these ferrites and their catalytic efficiency in selected catalytic processes of relevant interest.