Doping effect of rare-earth (lanthanum, neodymium and gadolinium) ions on structural, optical, dielectric and magnetic properties of copper nanoferrites

Abstract

Copper and rare earth-doped (RE = La, Gd, Nd) CuFe1.85RE0.15O4 nanoferrites were prepared using the sonochemical method. The effective doping of rare-earth (La3+, Nd3+, Gd3+) ions with copper nanoferrites was confirmed by X-ray diffraction. The tetrahedral and octahedral sites of the nanoferrites were identified through the Fourier transform infrared spectra. The doping of rare-earth elements enhances the optical bandgap energy of the nanoferrites that are observed through Ultraviolet–DRS spectra. The oxidation state of the elements Cu 2p, La 3d, Nd 3d, Gd 3d, Fe 2p and O 1s was analyzed. Scanning electron microscopy images indicate a spherical morphology with agglomeration to some elongate. The values of dielectric constant and conductivity decrease considerably due to doping rare-earth ions in copper nanoferrites. Low saturation magnetization and high coercivity values of rare earth-doped copper nanoferrites are observed from the typical hysteresis curves.