The effect of Ce~(3+) doping on structural, optical, ferromagnetic resonance, and magnetic properties of ZnFe_2O_4 nanoparticles

摘要

Herein, we used the ultrasound irradiation to assist the sol-gel method for the synthesis of spinel ZnCe_TFe_(2 -x)O_4 nanoparticles. The patterns obtained from energy dispersive x-rays (EDX) analysis and elements mapping demonstrate the appropriate elemental stoichiometry and spatial distribution in the prepared samples. The Rietveld refinement patterns revealed the successful synthesis of the cubic-structured ZnCe_TFe_(2 -x)O_4 without any secondary phases. The crystallite size of ZnCe_TFe_(2 -x)O_4 ranged from 7 to 11 nm. Also, the optical bandgap for ZnCe_TFe_(2 -x)O_4 decreased from 2.1 eV to 1.77 eV. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy was used to study the ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) characteristics of theZnCe_TFe_(2 -x)O_4 samples. The resonance field was increased from 3362.65 Gauss to 3401.76 Gauss, while the line width decreased from 598.90 to 455.72 Gauss. The saturation magnetization was enhanced from 2.43 emu/g for x = 0.00 to 9.38 emu/g for x = 0.02. In addition, the values of coercivity (Hc) and remanence magnetization (Mr) were significantly lowered. The great value of saturation magnetization together with low values of Hc and Mr of Ce~(3+)-substituted Zn ferrites makes them potential candidates for the microwave absorption field.