Y3+ composition and particle size influenced magnetic and dielectric properties of nanocrystalline Ni0.5Cu0.5YxFe2-xO4 ferrites

The rare earth Yttrium (Y³⁺) doped Ni–Cu nanoferrites (NCY ferrites) with chemical formulation, Ni_0.5Cu_0.5Y_xFe_2-xO₄ (x = 0–0.125) were prepared successfully by the sol gel route. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) of NCY ferrites revealed that a single phase of cubic spinel is created within the synthesized ferrites. The crystallite sizes obtained by XRD pattern are in the range of 51–84 nm, in good agreement with those obtained by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FSEM). The calculated lattice parameter of NCY ferrite unit cells initially decreases up to x = 0.1 and increase afterwards for x = 0.125. From FESEM and TEM micrographs, surface morphology and microstructure of NCY nanoferrites were studied. The energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) patterns have confirmed the stoichiometric presence of Ni, Cu, Y, O and Fe, those were used to prepare the samples. The variations in the magnetic properties with Y³⁺ compositions were investigated by obtaining the hysteresis loops of NCY ferrites. The magnetic hopping lengths L_A and L_B were calculated from XRD. The saturation magnetization, Bohr magneton number, coercivity and retentivity of the ferrites were influenced by the structural parameters like crystallite size and lattice strain. The frequency variation of dielectric constant and loss tangent exhibit space charge polarization as a phenomenon governing the dielectric behavior of the ferrites.     

Effect of Mg doping on magnetic,and dielectric properties of NiCr2O4 nanoparticles

The structural, magnetic, and dielectric properties of spinel Magnesium (Mg) doped Nickel chromite (NiCr₂O₄) nanoparticles (NPs) have been studied in detail. The X-ray powder diffraction exhibited normal spinel phase formation of Mg_xNi_1-xCr₂O₄ (x = 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, and 1) NPs with a maximum average crystallite size of about 44 nm for x = 0.2 composition. The FTIR spectra of these NPs revealed the characteristic Ni–O and Mg–O and Cr–O bands around 639 cm^?1 and 497 cm^?1, respectively which confirmed the spinel structure. Temperature-dependent zero field cooled and field cooled graphs of NiCr₂O₄ NPs showed phase changes from ferrimagnetic to paramagnetic state at 86 K, while MgCr₂O₄ NPs showed antiferromagnetic (AFM) transition at Neel temperature (T_N) at 15 K due to corner-sharing of Cr³⁺ ions at a tetrahedral lattice site resulting in a highly magnetic frustrated structure. The field dependent magnetization (M ? H) loops of Mg_xNi_1-xCr₂O₄ NPs confirmed the competing AFM interactions and ferrimagnetic interactions resulting in a sharp decreased saturation magnetization with Mg doping. Dielectric constant, dielectric loss, and ac conductivity of these NPs showed size-dependent variation and depicted maximum value at x = 0.2 Mg concentration. In summary, the magnetic and dielectric properties of Mg doped NiCr₂O₄ NPs were modified by variations in the average crystallite size and magnetic exchange interactions, which may be suitable for different technological applications.     

Effect of yttria substitution on structure,optical and mechanical properties of (Gd,Y)2O3–MgO nanocomposite ceramics

A citrate-nitrate combustion method was applied to synthesize fine composite Gd_2-xY_xO₃-MgO (x = 0, 0.02, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.6) nanopowders. Y₂O₃ substitution inhibited Gd₂O₃ phase transition from cubic structure to monoclinic structure during sintering, thereby stabilizing its cubic structure to room temperature. This approach led to nanocomposite ceramics with a grain size of about 190 nm and increased the transmittance to 85% over the 3–5 μm wavelength range when x = 0.3. However, the addition of Y₂O₃ weakened the mechanic properties of the nanocomposite ceramics.     

Structural,morphological, and optical properties of strontium doped lead-free BCZT ceramics

We report the synthesis of Sr²⁺ doped Ba_0.9-xCa_0.1Sr_xTi_0.8Zr_0.2O₃ nano-ceramics by the conventional solid-state reaction method. Phase formation of single-phase orthorhombic ABO₃ type structure with space group P2mm was confirmed through X-ray diffraction (XRD). The crystallite size increased with increasing doping concentration from 25.46 nm to 52.96 nm as calculated by the Scherrer formula and from 47.1 nm to 88.5 nm by the Williamson-Hall method. The lattice parameter, dislocation density, and apparent density decreased with doping, except for when x = 0.05. The porosity was found to increase up to 16.8% with increasing doping. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) shows that samples exhibit a flake-like structure. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis confirms that Sr-ions occupy the Ca-site, for x = 0.05, and force the Ca ions to occupy the Ti-sites. For the higher concentration of Sr, i.e. x ≥ 0.15, no more forced substitution is observed and Sr-ions occupy the Ba-site only, which decreases oxygen vacancies. Diffused rings observed in selective area electron diffraction (SAED) patterns indicate the high crystalline order of the samples. The Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) measurements show a single broad peak between 544 and 594 cm^?1 for all the compositions, while two prominent peaks are observed for the composition x = 0.05 at 528 cm^?1 and 592 cm^?1. The Raman spectra show a shift in the most prominent peak, observed approximately 517 cm^?1.     

Relying on energy transfer to enhance the 2.9 μm emission by co-doped Tm3+ ions in Dy:Y2O3 transparent ceramics

2 at.% Tm, xat.% Dy:Y₂O₃ (x = 0, 0.1, 0.5 and 1) transparent ceramics were fabricated via vacuum sintering. The microstructural properties of the prepared ceramics were determined using XRD and SEM. The absorption cross-section of 2 at.% Tm, 1 at.% Dy:Y₂O₃ ceramic was 0.53 × 10^?20 cm² with the FWHM of 43.59 nm. The increased cross-section originates from a large overlapping range appearing in the absorption spectrum of the Dy³⁺:⁶H_15/2 → ⁶F_5/2 and Tm³⁺:³H₆→⁶H₄ transitions. The J-O intensity parameters Ω₂, Ω₄ and Ω₆ and the fluorescence characteristics of the pivotal luminescent level of the Dy³⁺ ions were investigated. Under 793 nm excitation, the emission cross section of the Tm,Dy:Y₂O₃ ceramic at 3094 nm was 3.63 × 10^?21 cm² with the FWHM of 355 nm. The fluorescence lifetimes of Dy³⁺:⁶H_13/2 level of 2 at.% Tm, xat.% Dy:Y₂O₃ (x = 0.1, 0.5 and 1) ceramics were fitted to be 357 μs, 282 μs and 149 μs, respectively. In order to explore the quenching mechanism of Tm³⁺:³F₄ level, the fluorescence lifetimes of Tm³⁺:³F₄ of the 2 at.% Tm, xat.% Dy:Y₂O₃ ceramics (x = 0, 0.1, 0.5 and 1) were measured to be 4.878 ms, 462 μs, 104 μs and 61 μs, respectively. The possible energy transfer mechanisms between Tm³⁺ and Dy³⁺ ions are discussed. The results show that adding Tm³⁺ ions to Dy:Y₂O₃ ceramics can effectively enhance the 2.9 μm MIR through energy transfer.     

Investigating the co-substitution impact of yttrium–nickel cations on lattice,morphological and magnetic parameters of SrM based ceramics

This study details the impact of the co-substitution of Y³⁺-Ni³⁺ ions for the Fe³⁺ ions on the structural, morphological and, magnetic parameters of SrM based SrY_xFe_12-2xNi_xO₁₉ (0.00 ≤ x ≥ 0.25) (SrYFeNiO) ceramic magnets synthesized by the ceramic route. Rietveld refinement of XRD confirmed the hexagonal (P63/mmc (194), z = 2) SrFe₁₂O₁₉ phase for all and an additional rhombohedral (R-3c (167), z = 6) hematite Fe₂O₃ phase for x = 0.2, x = 0.25 doping levels. The experimental and theoretical measurements abstracted the stretch of lattice parameters, i.e., the crystallographic axis and the lattice cell volume, and the dislocation of the crystallographic plane (1 1 4) for the hexagonal system, certified the heavy Y³⁺-Ni³⁺ ions substitution. To examine the morphological parameters, FESEM presented the regular hexagonal platelets of sizes ~ 1–2 μm, and EDX revealed the presence of constituent elements with their atomic and weight percentages in SrFeYNiO products. The extraction of vibrational frequencies of Fe–O bonds at tetrahedral and octahedral sites of iron through FT-IR spectroscopy authenticates the formation of the SrM phase. XPS correlated the doped elements, i.e., nickel in Ni⁺² and Ni⁺³ and yttrium in Y⁺³, whereas parent element, i.e., iron in Fe⁺³ and Fe⁺² chemical states, enlightened their impact on the magnetic parameters. Hysteresis loop analysis deduced a linear decline in magnetic parameters such as saturation magnetization (M_s) and remnant magnetization (M_r) due to non-magnetic Y³⁺ and less magnetic Ni³⁺ ions installment in 4f1 and 2b polyhedral sites of Fe³⁺ ions. However, high coercivity (H_c) up to 2.92 kOe ∈ x = 0.15 and extended magnetocrystalline anisotropy (MCA) up to 5.790× 10⁶ Erg/g ∈ x = 0.15 of our obtained ceramic magnets affirmed their application in permanent magnetic industry. M(T) curves also demonstrated the decrease in M_s and displayed an SPM at T_B, which is shifting towards lower temperatures with increasing Y³⁺-Ni³⁺ contents approved the expansion of lattice parameters.     

Lanthanide doping of Li7La3-xMxZr2O12 (M=Sm,Dy, Er,Yb; x=0.1–1.0) and dopant size effect on the electrochemical properties

Lithium-ion batteries, as one of the energy storage devices, has attracted much attention due to its remarkable characteristics. However, they pose safety challenges because of their liquid electrolytes. Solid electrolytes are one of the key candidates to tackle the safety issues in Li-ion batteries. As a solid electrolyte, garnet-type Li₇La₃Zr₂O₁₂ is a promising candidate with its high stability against lithium metal and wide electrochemical window among its counterparts. But, the ionic conductivity is yet to be compared with liquid electrolytes. Hence, doping is still the common strategy to adjust the ionic conductivities. Despite the fact that doping with various elements is well-documented, Lanthanide group element doping is not thoroughly investigated. This research is to study the synthesis of garnet-type Li₇La_3-xM_xZr₂O₁₂ (M = Sm, Dy, Er, Yb; x = 0.0–1.0) novel compositions to enlighten the effect of lanthanide group element doping as a function of ionic radius. Results showed that increasing dopant ionic radius improves densification, diminishes Li-ion conduction and, except Yb case, expands the lattice. However, impurity phases formed when the solubility limit is reached, has overall a positive impact on Li-ion conduction. The highest ionic conductivity (0.15 mS/cm) and lowest activation energy (0.18 eV) without impurity phases were obtained from Yb doped LLZO. It was also found that the presence of LiDyO₂ improves the ionic conductivity to 0.16 mS/cm.     

Correlation of structure and dielectric response in Ce-doped double perovskite cobaltite

Double perovskite Bi₂Ca_2-xCe_xCoO₆; x = 0.00, 0.05, 0.10 and 0.15 (BCCCO) is synthesized by co-precipitation route. X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirms the monoclinic single-phase crystal structure with negligible variation in unit cell parameters, indicating that the Cerium (Ce) has been successfully incorporated. With Ce doping, the average crystallite size of Bi₂Ca₂CoO₆ (BCCO) nanoparticles decreases. Scherrer's formula was used to determine the crystallite sizes (33–37 nm) of BCCO nanoparticles. Jonscher's power law is used to investigate the conduction mechanism of all the prepared specimens. The power-law specifies the correlated barrier hopping for BCCCO x = 0.00 and 0.05, short polaron tunneling for x = 0.10, while BCCCO x = 0.15 follows overlapping large polaron tunneling. The dielectric permittivity has been calculated with a frequency range of 20 Hz - 3 MHz, and the Ce doped samples show a high value of dielectric permittivity ε_r = 1.79 × 10⁵ at 500 °C. The influence of crystallite size on the dielectric permittivity of BCCCO was examined in this work. The relaxation time and spreading factor of all samples are investigated using Non-linear Debye's function. All these features are studied as a function of frequency at temperatures ranging from 100 to 500 °C. Here, the DC electrical conductivity of BCCCO is investigated by the four-probe method at 50–400 °C. In Ce-doped specimen the lowest value of thermal conductivity (k = 0.797 W/m-K at 120 °C) has been observed.     

Fabrication and characteristics of Ce-doped Y3Fe5O12 ceramics by hot-press sintering with oxygen/nitrogen atmosphere

Infrared transparent Ce-doped Y₃Fe₅O₁₂ (Ce_: YIG, Ce_xY_3-xFe₅O_12, x = 0, 0.12, 0.24, 0.36) ceramics were successfully produced by the solid-state reaction using a hot-press sintering process from the Y₂O₃, Fe₂O₃, and CeO₂ powders. The phase structure, microstructure, infrared transmittance, and magnetic and magneto-optical properties of the Ce-doped Y₃Fe₅O₁₂ ceramics were measured and analyzed. The in-line transmittances of the Ce-doped Y₃Fe₅O₁₂ ceramics with the x = 0, 0.12, 0.24 (L = 0.5 mm) at 1550 nm were about 72%, 66.5%, and 57.6%, respectively. In the state of saturation magnetization, the Faraday rotation angle per centimeter (θ_F) of Ce_xY_3-xFe₅O₁₂ (x = 0, 0.12, 0.24) ceramics measured by the light extinction method was 182.5, −410.4, and −958.3 deg./cm, respectively. The change of the θ_F was about −142.5 deg./cm when per 1at.% Ce was substituted in the dodecahedral site of YIG materials. The (Ce_0.24Y_2.76)Fe₅O₁₂ ceramics were determined as the optimized composition for its excellent infrared optical and magneto-optical properties.     

Improvement of (BH)max in Ba-hexaferrite doped with La and Co

In this work we produce Ba-hexaferrite nanoparticles by the ionic coordination reaction method and study the influence of La and Co ions on the magnetic properties of Ba_0.7La_0.3Fe_12-xCo_xO₁₉ for x = (0.0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.0) nanoparticles. The crystalline and morphological properties were studied by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy techniques. The magnetic properties of samples were studied in a vibrating sample magnetometer under an applied field of ±6 T. The Fe occupancy in the three octahedral (12k, 2a, and 4f₂), one tetrahedral (4f₁) and one trigonal bipyramidal (2b) sites was studied by Mössbauer spectroscopy. The samples are single domain nanoparticles with crystallite sizes in the range 71.5-50.1 nm, decreasing with the Co doping. The results suggest that the sample with x = 0.25 had the largest (BH)_max of 6.98 kJ/m³, this effect is mostly due to the occupancy of 4f₂ sites by Co²⁺. For x > 0.25, the Co²⁺ occupy mainly both the 4f₂ and 12k sites, the presence of oxygen vacancies is discussed.     

Effects of Gd Substitution on Sintering and Optical Properties of Highly Transparent (Y0.95−xGdxEu0.05)2O3 Ceramics

Highly transparent (Y_0.95?xGd_xEu_0.05)₂O₃ (x = 0.15–0.55) ceramics have been fabricated by vacuum sintering at the relatively low temperature of 1700°C for 4 h with the in‐line transmittances of 73.6%–79.5% at the Eu³⁺ emission wavelength of 613 nm (~91.9%–99.3% of the theoretical transmittance of Y_1.34Gd_0.6Eu_0.06O₃ single crystal), whereas the x = 0.65 ceramic undergoes a phase transformation at 1650°C and has a transparency of 53.4% at the lower sintering temperature of 1625°C. The effects of Gd³⁺ substitution for Y³⁺ on the particle characteristics, sintering kinetics, and optical performances of the materials were systematically studied. The results show that (1) calcining the layered rare‐earth hydroxide precursors of the ternary Y–Gd–Eu system yielded rounded oxide particles with greatly reduced hard agglomeration and the particle/crystallite size slightly decreases along with increasing Gd³⁺ incorporation; (2) in the temperature range 1100°C–1480°C, the sintering kinetics of (Y_0.95?xGd_xEu_0.05)₂O₃ is mainly controlled by grain‐boundary diffusion with similar activation energies of ~230 kJ/mol; (3) Gd³⁺ addition promotes grain growth and densification in the temperature range 1100°C–1400°C; (4) the bandgap energies of the (Y_0.95?xGd_xEu_0.05)₂O₃ ceramics generally decrease with increasing x; however, they are much lower than those of the oxide powders; (5) both the oxide powders and the transparent ceramics exhibit the typical red emission of Eu³⁺ at ~613 nm (the ⁵D₀→⁷F₂ transition) under charge transfer (CT) excitation. Gd³⁺ incorporation enhances the photoluminescence and shortens the fluorescence lifetime of Eu³⁺.     

Solvothermal Synthesis of In2−xCoxO3 (0.05 ≤ x ≤ 0.15) Dilute Magnetic Semiconductors: Optical,Magnetic, and Dielectric Properties

Highly crystalline and monophasic nanoparticles of In_2?xCo_xO₃ (0.05 ≤ x ≤ 0.15) were successfully synthesized by the solvothermal method through an oxalate precursor route. Collective evidence from X‐ray diffraction and reflectance measurements suggest that the Co²⁺ is incorporated into the In₂O₃ lattice site. Effect of cobalt dopant on the growth and morphology of indium oxide was studied by transmission electron microscopy. It has been observed that particle size decreases from 23 to 9 nm on increasing the Co concentration. High surface area has been obtained, with values ranging between 66 and 151 m²/g, respectively. Values for the dielectric constant were around 40. All these solid solutions show paramagnetic behavior with weak antiferromagnetic interactions.     

Role of Mn doping on magnetic properties of multiferroic NiCr2O4 nanoparticles

The structural and magnetic properties of Mn doped Nickel Chromite (Ni_1-xMn_xCr₂O_4, x = 0, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8) nanoparticles (NPs) were studied in detail. The X-ray diffraction analysis affirms normal spinel structure for all the samples and average crystallite size was found in the range 31–58 nm. The spinel structure of these nanoparticles was also confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy which revealed the formation of tetrahedral and octahedral vibrational bands in the range 607 -628 cm^?1 and 486 - 491 cm^?1, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy images depicts less agglomerated and non-spherical shaped NPs. The temperature dependent zero field cooled and field cooled magnetic measurements revealed a paramagnetic to ferrimagnetic transition T_c at 87 K for NiCr₂O₄ NPs, which is shifted to low temperatures by Mn doping. This effect was attributed to cationic distributions between adjacent sites produced by Mn doping. M ? H loops of Ni_1-xMn_xCr₂O₄ NPs revealed enhanced saturation magnetization with increase in Mn doping which is attributed to a large magnetic moment of Mn ions. Ni_1-xMn_xCr₂O₄ (x = 0.6 and 0.8) NPs show steps in their M ? H loops because of exchange interactions between two sites of these NPs.     

Effect of calcination temperature on optical,magnetic and dielectric properties of Sol-Gel synthesized Ni0.2Mg0.8-xZnxFe2O4 (x = 0.0–0.8)

The Ni_0.2Mg_0.8-xZn_xFe₂O₄ (x = 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 & 0.8) nanomaterials were prepared via sol-gel technique. These samples were calcined at three different temperatures (T) such as 400, 450 and 500 °C/5 h. Furthermore, the X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of all the calcined samples revealed the single phase cubic spinel structure. The lattice constants (a = b = c) were noticed to be increasing with increase of ‘x’. The grain shape, size and distribution of x = 0.0–0.8 contents were analyzed using field emission electron microscope (FESEM). The x = 0.2 content provided higher optical band gap energy (E_g) value than the remaining contents. Furthermore, the magnetization versus magnetic field (M − H) curves indicated the superparamagnetic nature of x = 0.0–0.8 contents. The high saturation magnetization (M_s) was noticed for x = 0.4 and 0.6 contents. In addition, the distribution of cations like Ni⁺², Mg⁺², Zn⁺², Fe⁺³ and Fe⁺² was performed between the tetrahedral (A) and octahedral (B) sites. The frequency dependence of dielectric constant (ε′), dielectric loss (ε") and ac-electrical conductivity (σ_ac) was investigated as a function of composition. Moreover, the temperature variation of ε′ showed the decreasing trend of dielectric transition temperature (T_e) with increase of ‘x’. The high ε′ of 163.1 (at 1 MHz) was noticed at x = 0.2 content calcined at 500 °C. Using the power law fit applied to the log σ_ac-log ω plots, the dc-electrical conductivity (σ_dc) and exponent (n) parameters were calculated.     

Fabrication,microstructure, and optical properties of Yb:Y3ScAl4O12 transparent ceramics with different doping levels

Transparent Yb:Y₃ScAl₄O₁₂ (Yb:YSAG) ceramics with different ytterbium doping concentrations such as 5, 10, 15, 20 at.% have been successfully fabricated by solid-state reactive sintering. All the obtained ceramics are in dense and homogeneous structure after sintering at 1820°C for 30 hours and with a posttreatment by hot isostatic pressing at 1750°C for 3 hours with 200 MPa pressure. We systematically analyzed the influence of Yb³⁺ doping concentration on the microstructure and optical properties of the ceramics. The 10 at.% Yb:Y₃ScAl₄O₁₂ ceramics with a thickness of 3.2 mm show the best transparency as high as 80.9% at 1100 nm. The laser emission of the 10 at.% Yb:YSAG ceramics was tested, resulting in a maximum slope efficiency of 67.6% and a maximum output power of 11.3 W under quasi-continuous wave pump conditions. The tuning range spanned from 990 to 1071 nm.     

Effects of Ho3+ concentration on the fabrication and properties of Ho: Y2O3-MgO nanocomposite for Mid-infrared laser applications

Infrared transparent Ho: Y₂O₃-MgO nanocomposite ceramics with a volume ratio of 50:50 (RE₂O₃: MgO) were prepared by combining sol-gel powder synthesis and hot-pressing sintering techniques. In order to obtain Ho: Y₂O₃-MgO nanocomposite ceramics with fine grain size, dense microstructure and homogeneous phase domains, the effect of sintering temperature and Ho³⁺ doping concentration were studied. Transmittance and SEM measurement revealed that the grain size of 3 at.% Ho: Y₂O₃-MgO ceramic sintered at 1250 °C is 141 nm, and the transmission is up to 85.2% at 5 μm. The detailed spectroscopic investigation of x at.% Ho: Y₂O₃-MgO (x = 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 15) ceramics was performed. The nanocomposites exhibited photoluminescence properties similar to that of Ho: Y₂O₃ crystals and ceramics. In addition, the thermal conductivity of 3 at.% Ho: Y₂O₃-MgO ceramic is 13.04 W/m·K, which is superior to that of Ho:Y₂O₃ ceramics. The high transmission, excellent thermal conductivity, and outstanding optical characteristics indicated that Ho: Y₂O₃-MgO ceramics is a promising material for efficient infrared solid-state laser.     

Structural,microstructural, and magnetic studies of Y3Fe5-xNixO12 garnet nanoparticles

This paper reports the structural and magnetic properties of a series of Y₃Fe_5-xNi_xO₁₂ (x = 0, 0.05, 0.1, and 0.2) nanopowders synthesized by the citrate combustion method. We have discussed the change in different properties with the variation in calcination temperatures as well as the Ni ion substitution in yttrium iron garnet. X-ray diffraction study confirmed the desired garnet phase formation in all the calcined powders, and the crystallinity improved with an increase in calcination temperature. The crystallite sizes were observed in the range 47–52 nm and 84–94 nm for the samples calcined at 800 and 1000 °C, respectively. Scanning electron micrographs confirmed that the grains were in the nanometre range (132–170 nm) at 800 °C and increased (351–363 nm) at 1000 °C. Larger grains at high calcination temperature resulted in the enhanced saturation magnetization and a decrease in coercivity. Curie temperature (T_c) was observed in the range 558–560 K for all the calcined Y₃Fe_5-xNi_xO₁₂ samples. Nickel substitution for iron sites in Y₃Fe_5-xNi_xO₁₂ decreased the saturation magnetization and enhanced the coercivity. This could be related to the substitution of Ni ions for tetrahedral iron sites, which changed the magnetic exchange interactions of different lattice sites. The magnetic anisotropy constant (K) increases with the enhancement of calcination temperature, whereas it decreases with nickel ion substitution in Y₃Fe_5-xNi_xO₁₂. This study suggests that the structural and magnetic properties can be tuned by Ni substitution for the Fe ions in Y₃Fe₅O₁₂ garnets at different calcination temperatures, which make them promising candidates for various technological applications.     

Synthesis of Ni doped barium hexaferrite by microemulsion route to enhance the visible light-driven photocatalytic degradation of crystal violet dye

The pristine and Ni doped BaNi_xFe_12-xO₁₉ (x = 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0) NPs have been fabricated via facile microemulsion approach and the impact of dopants was explored based dielectric, optical, structural and the photocatalytic properties of BaNi_xFe_12-xO₁₉ nanoparticles. X-ray diffraction and Raman study confirmed the formation of regular hexagonal geometry with space group P6₃/mmc with crystallite size in 32–50 nm range. Functional groups were identified using FTIR analysis. The remanence (Pr), saturation polarization (Ps) and coercivity (Hc) was explored by P-E loop analysis and the value of Pr and Ps was enhanced with the concentration of dopant. According to PL spectra, highly doped materials had a higher charge separation (e^?- h⁺) and low recombination rate, which resulted in higher photocatalytic degradation activity of fabricated nanomaterials. The optical band gap was found to be 1.78 eV versus undoped (2.60 eV for pristine BaFe₁₂O₁₉). Due to polarizations, the dielectric loss, dielectric constant and tangent loss values were declined, while AC conductivity was enhanced. Photocatalytic performance of doped and undoped samples under visible right irradiation was studied for crystal violet dye. For 100 min exposure to visible light, the highly doped catalyst exhibits 97% degradation versus 60% in case of pristine this is attributed to efficient electron-hole pair separation. Furthermore, quenching effect of different scavengers indicated that hydroxyl radical had a main role, and e^? or h⁺ played a minimal role in CV dye degradation. The enhanced properties due to doping make BaNi_xFe_12-xO₁₉ a potential candidate for photocatalytic applications under visible light irradiation.     

Impact of rare earth europium (RE-Eu3+) ions substitution on microstructural,optical and magnetic properties of CoFe2−xEuxO4 nanosystems

In this study, pure cobalt ferrite (CoFe₂O₄) nanoparticles and europium doped CoFe₂O₄ (CoFe_2−xEu_xO₄; x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.3) nanoparticles were synthesized by the precipitation and hydrothermal approach. The impact of replacing trivalent iron (Fe³⁺) ions by trivalent rare earth europium (RE-Eu³⁺) ions on the microstructure, optical and magnetic properties of the produced CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles was studied. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra exposed the consistency of a single cubic phase with the evidence of Eu₂O₃ phases for x ≥ 0.2. FTIR transmittance spectra showed that, the all investigated samples have three characteristic metal-oxygen bond vibrations corresponding to octahedral B-site (υ₁ and υ₂) and tetrahedral A-site (υ₃) around 415 cm⁻¹, 470 cm⁻¹ and 600 cm⁻¹ respectively. XRD and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy studies affirmed the integration of RE-Eu³⁺ ions within CoFe₂O₄ host lattice and decrease of average crystals size from 13.7 nm to 4.7 nm. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis showed the crucial role played by RE-Eu³⁺ added to CoFe₂O₄ in reducing the particle size below 5 nm in agreement with XRD analysis. High resolution-TEM (HR-TEM) analysis showed that the as-synthesized spinel ferrite, i.e., CoFe_2−xEu_xO₄, nanoparticles are single-crystalline with no visible defects. In addition, the HR-TEM results showed that pure and doped CoFe₂O₄ have well-resolved lattice fringes and their interplanar spacings matches that obtained by XRD analysis. Magnetic properties investigated by the vibrating sample magnetometer technique illustrated transformation of magnetic state from ferromagnetic to superparamagnetic at 300 K resulting in introducing RE-Eu³⁺ in CoFe₂O₄ lattice. At low temperature (~5 K) the magnetic order was ferromagnetic for both pure and doped CoFe₂O₄ samples. Substitution of Fe³⁺ ions in CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles with RE-Eu³⁺ ions optimizes the sample nanocrystals size, cation distribution and magnetic properties for many applications.     

Photoluminescence of Sr2P2O7:Sm3+ Phosphor as Reddish Orange Emission for White Light‐Emitting Diodes

A reddish orange emission Sr₂P₂O₇:Sm³⁺ phosphor is prepared by the solid‐state reaction method in air, and the crystal structure and luminescence properties of phosphors are investigated. Sr₂P₂O₇:Sm³⁺ phosphor shows Commission International de I'Eclairage (CIE) chromaticity coordinates (x = 0.5753, y = 0.4147). White light‐emitting diodes (W‐LEDs) fabricated using Sr₂P₂O₇:Sm³⁺ phosphor etc. show CIE chromaticity coordinates (x = 0.3471, y = 0.3124). These results indicate that Sr₂P₂O₇:Sm³⁺ phosphor could be a potential suitable reddish orange emitting phosphor candidate for W‐LEDs with excitation of a ~400 nm n‐UV LED chip.