Green synthesis of CuFe₂O₄ nanoparticles mediated by Morus alba L. leaf extract: Crystal structure, grain morphology, particle size, magnetic and catalytic properties in Mannich reaction

Copper ferrite (CuFe₂O₄) is one of the most popular ferrite spinel semiconductors due to its superparamagnetic properties. In this study, CuFe₂O₄ nanoparticles were successfully prepared through green synthesis mediated by Morus alba L. leaf extract. Secondary metabolites, such as alkaloids and saponins, in Morus alba L. leaf extract acted as a weak base provider and as a capping agent in the formation of CuFe₂O₄. The crystal structure, grain morphology, particle size, and magnetic properties of the nanoparticles were investigated. X-ray diffraction (XRD) data confirms the formation of the CuFe₂O₄ phase with a cubic Fd-3ms space group. The nanoparticles mediated by Morus alba L. have a spherical shape with distributed particle sizes at 20–70 nm. In the evaluation of stability, the nanoparticles agglomerate with a zeta potential value of −21.7 mV and have a soft ferromagnetic nature with H_c, M_r, and M_s values of 175.44 Oe, 1.75 emu/g, and 14.16 emu/g, respectively. The catalytic ability of CuFe₂O₄ nanoparticles in the Mannich reaction showed good catalyst performance with a yield of 83.83% at optimum conditions. Green synthesis using Morus alba L. leaf extract offers a more environmentally friendly and effective method for obtaining CuFe₂O₄ nanoparticles with good characteristics.