Structural,dielectric and ferromagnetic behavior of (Zn,Co) co-doped SnO2 nanoparticles

Nanoparticles of basic composition Sn_0.94Zn_0.05Co_0.01O₂, Sn_0.92Zn_0.05Co_0.03O₂ and Sn_0.90Zn_0.05Co_0.05O₂ were synthesized by chemical precipitation method. The incorporation of Co and Zn in SnO₂ lattice introduced significant changes in the physical properties of all the three nanocrystals. The average particle size estimated from TEM data decreased from 15.71 to 6.41  nm with enhancement in concentration of oxygen vacancies as Co content is increased from 1 to 5 wt%. Increasing Co content enhanced the Sn:O atomic ratio as a result concentration of oxygen vacancies increased. The dielectric study revealed strong doping dependence. The dielectric parameters (ε′, tanδ and σ_ac) increased with increasing Co content and attained maximum values for 5% (Zn, Co) co-doped SnO₂ nanoparticles. The dielectric loss (ε′′) exhibited dispersion behavior and the Debye’s relaxation peaks observed in dielectric loss factor (tanδ), whose intensities increased with increasing Co content. The variation of dielectric properties and ac conductivity revealed that the dispersion is due to Maxwell-Wagner interfacial polarization and hopping of charge carriers between Sn⁺²/Sn⁺³ and Co⁺²/Co⁺³. The large dielectric constant of all samples made them interesting materials for device application. Magnetization measurements (M (H) loops) revealed enhancement in saturation magnetization with doping which is due to the formation of large amount of induced defects and oxygen vacancies in the samples. The present study clearly reveals doping dependent properties and the oxygen vacancies induced ferromagnetism in Zn, Co co-doped SnO₂ nanoparticles having applications in ultra-high dielectric materials, high frequency devices and spintronics.     

The influence of sintering temperature on the structure,optical and magnetic properties of Yttrium iron oxide YFeO3 prepared via Lα-alanine assisted combustion method

Single-crystalline YFeO₃ nanoparticles with orthorhombic perovskite structure were synthesized via L_α-alanine assisted combustion approach. The effect of sintering temperature on the lattice and distortion parameters of the YFeO₃ was discussed. The increase of the sintering temperature increased the lattice parameters and crystallite size, while decreased spontaneous strain, cell distortion, orthorhombic distortion and global instability factors. The sintering temperature did not show any significant effect of the atomic percentage of the elemental compositions of the YFeO₃, where the powders showed excellent stoichiometry preserving the Y:Fe ratio (1:1). SEM micrographs showed that the YFeO₃ powders exhibited quasi-rectangular shape. The magnetic properties showed an improvement of the remnant magnetization and coercivity with increasing the sintering temperature, owing to the decrease of distortion of orthorhombic perovskite structure. The diffuse reflectance UV–vis spectrophotometer was employed to investigate the optical behavior and band gap of the sintered YFeO₃ powders at different temperatures. It was noticed that the reflectance bands are blue shifted and the optical band gap is decreased from 2.02 to 1.44 eV. This will gave rise to the possibility to use the developed YFeO₃ orthoferrites as magnetic recoverable catalyst.     

Structural,multiferroic properties and enhanced magnetoelectric coupling in Sm1−xCaxFeO3

Sm_1−xCa_xFeO₃ where x=0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1.0 was synthesized via the sol-gel method at low temperatures in steps of x=0.25. The as-prepared powders were characterized by Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The as-prepared powders were pelletized and then sintered at 1000 °C/4 h to obtain single phase material. The sintered ferrite samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The XRD data reveal that a pure phase with perovskite structure is obtained for all the compositions and an exothermic peak appears in the DTA curve at 700 °C for x=0.25, suggesting a crystallization process; a similar behaviour is found to occur for the other compositions as well. The band gap values were determined from UV reflection spectra to be in the range of 1.8–2 eV. The structural transition is further confirmed by the changes observed in Raman vibrational modes. The microstructural characteristics of all the phases show particles of different morphology and size. The dielectric constant (ε_r) and dielectric loss (D) were decreased with an increase of frequency (40 Hz to 110 MHz). A huge enhancement in remnant magnetization (M_r) and coercivity (H_c) is observed as Ca³⁺ is increases. The improvement in the magnetic properties of present samples is due to the destruction of spin cycloid with Sm. No Fe⁴⁺ ions are discovered upon substitution of Sm³⁺ by Ca³⁺. Magnetic hysteresis loops of these samples show a significant weak ferromagnetic behaviour. Clear evidence of magneto-electric coupling is shown by the P–E loops measurement by applying an electric field.     

Effect of neodymium ion on the structural,electrical and magnetic properties of nanocrystalline nickel ferrites

NiNd_xFe_2-xO₄ nanoferrites with different compositions of x?=?0.01, 0.03, 0.05, 0.07 and 0.09 were prepared using the sonochemical method. The structural, optical and morphological properties of the prepared nanoferrites were characterized by X-ray diffraction, ultra violet-diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray fluorescence techniques. The X-ray diffraction analysis of the prepared nanoferrites confirmed the presence of a cubic spinel structure. The average crystallite sizes of the prepared nanoferrites were 52, 49, 46, 44 and 40?nm for x?=?0.01, 0.03, 0.05, 0.07 and 0.09, respectively. The particle size of the prepared NiNd_xFe_2-xO₄ nanoferrites was in the range 60–40?nm. The dielectric parameters ranged from 2.9?GHz to 5.6?GHz. Decrease in the dielectric constant was observed with an increase in Nd³⁺ ions in the prepared NiNd_xFe_2-xO₄ nanoferrites. However, a reverse trend was observed in the dielectric loss. An impedance analysis of the prepared nanoferrites was carried out to explore the pseudo-capacitance behavior. The saturation magnetization and remnant magnetization values of the prepared nanoferrites decreased with an increase in the concentration of Nd³⁺ ions in NiNd_xFe_2-xO₄ nanoferrites.     

Microwave combustion synthesis,magneto-optical and electrochemical properties of NiMoO4 nanoparticles for supercapacitor application

Nickel molybdate (NiMoO₄) nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized by a simplistic one-pot microwave combustion method using urea as the fuel. The produced NPs have been examined by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) analysis, scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) analysis. Further, optical and electronic properties were determined by UV-Visible and Photoluminescence (PL) analysis, respectively. The magnetic performance of the NiMoO₄ NPs was investigated by vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and the surface chemical composition was identified by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The electrochemical activities of the NiMoO₄ NPs were studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and galvanostatic charge/discharge (GCD) analysis. From the results, the CV curves indicated the occurrence of redox couples and besides with the EIS data (Nyquist plot), confirmed the supercapacitor nature of the synthesized NiMoO₄. The prepared NiMoO₄ exhibits a high specific capacitance and rateability. This electrode grants a high specific capacitance of 450?F?g^?1 at 2?mA?cm^?2 and the well permanency with a cycling proficiency of 94% after 1000 cycles. These results clearly showed that the synthesized NiMoO₄ NPs have potential application for the forthcoming flexible and lightweight energy storage.     

The role of Pb and annealing temperature on the structural,magnetic, optical and dielectric properties of W-type hexaferrite nanostructures

In this paper, W-type Sr_1-xPb_xCo₂Fe₁₆O₂₇ nanostructures were synthesized by auto-combustion sol-gel method. Then, the effects of annealing temperature and Pb contents on the structural, magnetic, optical, and dielectric properties of Sr_1-xPb_xCo₂Fe₁₆O₂₇ nanostructure were investigated. First, a gel of metal nitrates with a specific molar ratio with x different was prepared and then the gel was annealed at different temperatures for 4?h. To determine the annealing temperature of the samples, the prepared gel was examined by thermogravimetric analysis and differential thermal analysis. The morphology and crystal structure of the prepared samples were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and X-ray diffraction pattern (XRD). The results of XRD patterns indicated that the annealing temperature of synthesized Sr_1-xPb_xCo₂Fe₁₆O₂₇ was reduced by increasing Pb contents. In addition, FESEM images showed that the microstructure of the samples was homogeneous and uniform, but since the samples have a magnetic property, the particles were aggregated. Fourier transform infrared analysis (FT-IR) was used to confirm the phase formation. The FT-IR results of the samples indicated that the tetrahedral and octahedral sites, which are the important attributes of hexaferrites, were formed. The magnetic properties of the samples were measured by vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The VSM results of the samples showed that because of increasing Pb content, the amount of saturation magnetization and that of magnetic coercivity decreased from 81.29 to 10.23?emu/g and 2285–477?Oe, respectively. The optical properties of the samples were investigated by ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, which revealed that the energy gap decreases and the absorption peaks move towards longer wavelengths by increasing Pb content. The dielectric properties of the samples were investigated by the LCR meter. It was found that by increasing frequency, the dielectric constant (ε^′) and the dielectric loss (?) of the samples were decreased.     

Synthesis of Co-Zr doped nanocrystalline strontium hexaferrites by sol-gel auto-combustion route using sucrose as fuel and study of their structural,magnetic and electrical properties

Sol-gel auto-combustion route using sucrose as fuel has been employed to synthesize nanocrystalline particles of SrZr_xCo_xFe_(12−2x)O₁₉ (0.0≤ x ≤1.0). The characterization of these materials has been done by TGA-DTA, FT-IR, XRD and EDS. SEM and TEM techniques have been used to study the structure and morphology. Magnetic properties have been investigated by VSM and Mössbauer spectroscopy (MS). The influence of calcination temperature on morphology and magnetic properties of samples is studied in a wide temperature range of 500–1100 °C. XRD analysis indicates the formation of pure single phase hexagonal ferrites at 900 °C. The crystallite size calculated using Scherrer equation lies in a narrow range of 21–33 nm. The crystallite size is small enough to obtain a suitable signal to noise ratio in high density recording medium. Substitution of Zr and Co for Fe has been found to have a profound effect on the structural, magnetic and electrical properties. Upon substitution saturation magnetization (M_S) first increases from 62.67 emu/g to 64.84 emu/g (up to x=0.4) followed by a decrease to 49.71 emu/g at x=1.0. There is a slow fall in coercivity (H_C) from 5785.74 (x=0.0) to 1796.51 Oe (x=1.0). Dielectric constant, dielectric loss tangent and AC conductivity in the frequency range 20 Hz to 120 MHz have been studied for all the compositions (x=0–1.0). The composition and frequency dependence of these dielectric parameters has been qualitatively explained.     

Structural,vibrational, optical,magnetic and dielectric properties of Bi1−xBaxFeO3 nanoparticles

Bi_1−xBa_xFeO₃ (x=0.05, 0.10 and 0.15) nanoparticles were synthesized by the sol–gel method. X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy results showed the presence of distorted rhombohedral structure of Bi_1−xBa_xFeO₃ nanoparticles. Rietveld refinement and Williamson–Hall plot of the x-ray diffraction patterns showed the increase in lattice parameters, unit cell volume and the particle size. Infrared spectroscopy and Raman analysis revealed the shifting of phonon modes towards the higher wavenumber side with increasing Ba concentration. These samples exhibited the optical band gap in the visible region (2.47–2.02 eV) indicating their ability to absorb visible light. Magnetic measurement showed room temperature ferromagnetic behavior, which may be attributed to the antiferromagnetic core and the ferromagnetic surface of the nanoparticles, together with the structural distortion caused by Ba substitution. The magnetoelectric coupling was evidenced by the observation of the dielectric anomaly in the dielectric constant and the dielectric loss near antiferromagnetic Neel temperature in all the samples.     

Structural,electrical, dielectric and magnetic behavior of Gd1−xBixFe1−yZryO3 nanoparticles for advanced technological applications

Gd_1−xBi_xFe_1−yZr_yO₃ nanoparticles were synthesized via micro-emulsion route with different molar concentrations of Bi⁺³ (x) and Zr⁺⁴ (y). The values of x and y were kept in the range 0.00, 0.15, 0.30, 0.45 and 0.60. The characterizations were done by the thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The average particle size was ~50 nm. The effect of Bi³⁺ and Zr⁴⁺ contents on electrical, dielectric and magnetic parameters were studied. The DC resistivity measurements showed at certain Bi³⁺ and Zr⁴⁺ contents, more than two fold increase in electrical resistivity from 68×10⁸ Ω cm to 150×10⁸ Ω cm. The magnetic measurements showed the paramagnetic nature of Gd_1−xBi_xFe_1−yZr_yO₃ nanoparticles. The electrical and magnetic properties of these nanoparticles suggested that these materials are potential candidates for the fabrication of telecommunication and switching devices.     

Structural,magnetic, vibrational and impedance properties of Pr and Ti codoped BiFeO3 multiferroic ceramics

Single-phase (Bi_1−xPr_x)(Fe_1−xTi_x)O₃ ceramics (x=0.03, 0.06, and 0.10 as BPFT-3, BPFT-6 and BPFT-10, respectively) were synthesized by conventional solid state reaction method. The effect of varying Pr and Ti codoping concentration on the structural, magnetic, dielectric and optical properties of the BPFT ceramics have been investigated. X-ray diffraction indicated pure rhombohedral phase formation for BPFT-3 and BPFT-6 ceramics, however, a structural phase transition from a rhombohedral to an orthorhombic phase has been observed for BPFT-10 ceramic. The maximum remnant magnetization of 0.1824 emu/g has been observed in BPFT-6. With increasing codoping concentration the room temperature dielectric measurements showed enhancement in dielectric properties with reduced dielectric loss. UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectra demonstrated the strong absorption of light in the visible region for a band gap variation 2.31–2.34 eV. Infrared spectroscopy indicated the shifting of Bi/Pr–O and Fe/Ti–O bonds vibrations and change in Fe/Ti–O bond lengths. Decrease in the conductivity on increasing Pr and Ti concentration in BFO is attributed to an enhancement in the barrier properties leading to suppression of lattice conduction path arising due to lattice distortion as confirmed from impedance analysis.     

Covalency and Racah parameters of Fe3+ in Mn–Zn–Cr nanoferrites

This study presents the covalency and Racah parameter (B) of Fe³⁺ in Mn–Zn–Cr nanoferrites, which prepared by citrate–nitrate combustion method. Racah parameter was determined from the spectral data. The bands in the range of interest in optical absorbance are wide and asymmetric; a deconvolution (deconvolution to their component bands) of the experimental spectra becomes compulsory. Further, these spectra were employed to obtain Racah parameter. Racah parameter was decreased, with further Fe addition, from 540 to 441 cm^-1. Also, nephelauxetic ratio () was decreased from 0.532 to 0.435. This denotes that the bonds of Fe³⁺ and its surroundings become more covalent (the covalency is increased).     

Role of competing phases in the structural,magnetic and dielectric relaxation for (1−x)CoFe2O4+(x)BaTiO3 composites

Magnetoelectric composites of (1−x)CoFe₂O₄+(x)BaTiO₃ (0.0≤x≤1.0) were prepared by ball milling method. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed the presence of cubic spinel (CoFe₂O₄) and tetragonal perovskite (BaTiO₃) phases in the prepared composites. Scanning electron micrographs confirmed the homogeneous phase distribution in the obtained composites. The magnitude of saturation magnetization and linear magnetostriction decreased with increasing BaTiO₃ content in the composite. Significant reduction in the magnetostrictive behavior is attributed to different elastic constants of the constituents which affect the mechanical coupling. In order to identify the different electro-active regions in the prepared composites, the experimental impedance spectroscopic data have been analyzed using different equivalent circuit models. The analysis of the impedance data is carried out by calculating the impedance of conductive (CoFe₂O₄) phase, resistive (BaTiO₃) phase and interconnectivity between the two constituent phases. With increasing BaTiO₃ content ‘x’ in the system, the dielectric permittivity decreased at low frequencies and increased at high frequencies. The observed behavior is mainly ascribed to the polarization in the CoFe₂O₄ and BaTiO₃ phases at low and high frequencies, respectively. Moreover, the AC conductivity analysis suggested the mixed polaron hopping type of conduction mechanism in the prepared composites.     

A systematic study of physical properties of La substituted Sr3Co2Fe24O41 Z-hexaferrites

The impact of La substitution has been explored systematically in the present work, it covers a rough scan of the range of solubility of Lanthanum in the Sr₃Co₂Fe₂₄O₄₁ (SCFO) structure. The La substituted Z-type hexaferrites Sr_3-xLa_xCo₂Fe₂₄O_41, with x = 0.00, 0.15, 0.30, and 0.45, have been prepared via solid-state reaction route and named as SCFO, SLCFO5, SLCFO10 and SLCFO15 respectively. The structure and particle morphology of the samples have been investigated via variety of structural characterization methods like X-ray diffraction (XRD), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). A substantial change in structural properties beyond x ≥ 0.45 suggests that their exists a limit of Lanthanum solubility in the Sr_3-xLa_xCo₂Fe₂₄O₄₁ which is x = 0.45. The dielectric properties (ε′ & ε′′) of SCFO, SLCFO5, SLCFO10 and SLCFO15 were examined by varying temperature from 313 to 613 K in the frequency range of 500 Hz to 10 MHz. The dielectric responses of all the samples are frequency-dependent and thermally stimulated, with relaxation-type dielectric behavior. From M-H loops, it has been observed that with increasing La substitution, the saturation magnetization value reduces from 63.85 to 59.17 emu/g, whereas coercivity increases from 109.74 to 450.51 oersted, indicating an increase in magnetic hardness. The saturation magnetization (M_s) and Magneto crystalline anisotropy constant (K₁) were calculated by fitting the experimental data. A weak signature of magneto-electric coupling is observed by employing an indirect method in the SCFO sample.