Abstract
In this work, Zn1-xCoFe2AlxO4 (x=0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0) ferrites were synthesized using the sol-gel method. XRD analysis was done and confirmed the formation of spinel structure, where the particle size and lattice parameter decrease with increase of aluminum concentration. This may be attributed to a shift of the bigger Al3+ ions, from the tetrahedral to the octahedral sites, interchanging with smaller Zn2+ ions and that consequently result to a decreased unit cell size. The Scanning Kelvin Probe Microscopy (SKPM) showed that the work function average ranges between 200 and 680 mV for the different concentration of aluminum in the samples. Fractural analysis indicated a small fracture between the samples of different ratios which can be attributed to the method used to prepare as well as the shifting of the Al3+ ions. The UV-vis spectroscopy showed variation of energy gap with increasing aluminum concentration, and an increased optical absorbance as the Al3+ ions were introduced in the samples. Key words: Scanning kelvins probe microscopy, UV-vis spectroscopy, work function, and absorbance.
Highlights
Nanoparticles have found a wide application due to their superior electrical and electronic properties
The patterns match well with the JCPDS card No 221086 and confirms a spinel of cubic structure which further shows pure samples were synthesized as no additional peak was recorded
The energy absorbed when the ultra violet radiations are directed to the sample was found to range from 1.85-4.08 which was attributed to re alignment of the aluminum, ferric and cobalt ions as well as zinc and oxygen ions in the sample to A and B sites
Summary
Nanoparticles have found a wide application due to their superior electrical and electronic properties. Ferrite nanoparticles being a class of special oxides have been applied in a wide range of applications ranging from millimeter wave integrated circuitry, to the power handling techniques, permanent magnets up to the magnetic recording media (Valenzuela, 2005, 2012). Utilizing the optical and electrical properties of materials, optical recording has been developed (Gu et al, 2016).
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