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This work focused on the impact of synthesis routes on the structural, microstructural, magnetic, electrical and dielectric characteristics of Mg1−x Zn x Fe2O4 (x = 0.00, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1.00) nanocrystals manufactured via the ceramic and green approach sol–gel route. The powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis reveals that the entire synthesized ferrite solids crystallize in single phase spinel structure. The XRD outcomes highlight the impact of the synthesis routes and Zn2+ replacement on the morphology, crystallite size and structural parameters of magnesium nano-ferrites. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images illustrate that the process of synthesis causes extensive lessening of grain and crystallite sizes. The magnetic study reveals that the magnetic properties of magnesium ferrite can be tuned by zinc substitution. The saturation magnetization (Ms), retentivity (Mr), coercive force (Hc) and magneton number diminutions meaningfully with the replacement of diamagnetic Zn2+ ions in Mg-ferrite for both the synthesized systems. The deterioration of magnetic parameters with Zn2+ substitution can be clarified on the base of the random spin canting model. Likewise, the magnetic parameters, enhanced meaningfully for sol-gel derived samples this can be attributed due to decline of crystallite size effect. The DC electric resistivity displays NTCR behaviour like ideal semiconducting materials for all the produced samples. The DC resistivity values of sol-gel produced samples were found to be little bit higher than that of ceramic derived samples. The experimental dielectric constant as a function of frequency behaviour can be elucidated with the support of the heterogeneous model of the polycrystalline structure of ferrites. The dielectric constant and loss tangent decreases with Zn2+ content for both the systems. The dielectric constant enhances for sol-gel derived samples; however, lower values of loss tangent were found. The obtained outcomes can be suitable for multifunctional applications in electronics devices and biomedical field.

A profoundly effective magnetically recoverable nano zinc ferrite nanocatalyst was fabricated by means of sol-gel auto ignition strategy. The synthesized nanocatalyst has been completely portrayed by standard techniques for structural, morphological, compositional, surface, magnetic, dielectric, optical and photoluminescence properties individually. The x-ray diffraction pattern affirmed the arrangement of cubic spinel structure with an average crystallite size of 21 nm. FE-SEM images uncovered the circular morphology with nanometric average grain measure (37 nm). The surface area, pore volume and pore radius was observed to be 39.812 m2 g−1, 3.41 cc g−1 and 1.34 nm individually from BET analysis. VSM investigation demonstrated the superparamgnetic nature of the prepared sample with moderate magnetization value and negligible coercivity. The optical band gap deduced from UV–vis spectra was observed to be 2.098 eV. Every one of these properties of zinc nanoferrite makes them brilliant contender for microwave radiation absorption. Further, a proficient and versatile microwave irradiated solvent free synthesis of chalcone derivatives has been developed using prepared zinc nanoferrite catalyst. The remarkable highlights of this new protocol are solvent free reaction, economical cheapness, eco-friendliness, high yields, reduced reaction times and easy recovery and reuse of zinc ferrite nanocatalyst.