Enhanced Magnetic, Dielectric, Optical and Ferro-Photovoltaic Properties of Barium Ferrite (BaFe2O4) Nanoparticles with Zn doping for Photovoltaic Applications

Abstract

Aim: Enhanced Magnetic, Dielectric, Optical and Ferro-Photovoltaic Properties of Barium Ferrite (BaFe2O4) Nanoparticles with Zn doping for Photovoltaic Applications Background: A complete examination of structural, magnetic, di-electric, photovoltaic, and optical properties of Zn doped barium ferrite particles has been performed, using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), Impedance Analyzer, UV Visible spectroscopy, and Fluorescence spectrophotometer. Objective: The valuable results of magnetic, optical, and photovoltaic properties of Zn doped barium ferrites presented a novel idea for utilizing magnetic ferrites in photovoltaic applications. Method: Magnetic Ba1-xZnxFe2O4 (x = 0.0, 0.2, 0.3, 0.5) nanoparticles have been prepared by sol-gel auto combustion method. Result: The ferroelectricity and photovoltaic response were explored by Multiferroics system and Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, respectively. The structure was detected orthorhombic with space group Pnma 3 for pure and Zn doped samples. The magnetization value for pure BaFe2O4 was increased from 1.4 emu/g to 15.3 emu/g for Ba0.7Zn0.3Fe2O4 sample. The ferroelectric behavior was reflected equally in pure BaF and Zn-doped samples. The photovoltaic results revealed an increase in photocurrent upon illumination in Zn = 0.3 sample. The dielectric properties showed direct relation with each other and supported ferroelectricity. The energy band gap value for pure barium ferrite (BaF) was reduced from 1.54 eV to 1.33 eV for Zn = 0.3 sample. The photoluminescence resulted in increasing emission intensity spectra for Zn = 0.3 and Zn = 0.5 at wavelength of 607 nm and 430 nm. Conclusion: The nanoparticles revealed an orthorhombic crystal structure with degraded particle size from 43-26.5 nm with increasing concentration of Zn doping. The same movement was followed by grain size from 245 to 33 nm. The lattice constant ‘a’, micro-strain, and dislocation density were increased. The growth of spherical nanoparticles and the desired composition of chemical bonds were verified by SEM and FTIR individually. The magnetization was upgraded from 1.4 emu/g to 15.32 emu/g, while coercivity was lessened with doping.