Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) decorated Co-Zn ferrite: Structural, morphological, dielectric, and magnetic properties

Abstract

GQDs/Co0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 nanocomposite was synthesized using a facile sonication-assisted approach. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), elemental dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), impedance analyzer and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) were employed to characterize the synthesized samples. The XRD data confirmed the formation of GQDs, Co-Zn ferrite and GQDs/Co-Zn ferrite nanocomposite with no detectable impurity peaks. FTIR results identified the presence of GQDs in GQDs/Co-Zn ferrite nanocomposite. The morphological study revealed the decoration of spherical GQDs on the surface of Co-Zn ferrite. Complex impedance plane plots showed the contribution of the relaxation phenomenon associated with grain and grain boundaries in observed dielectric properties of the nanocomposite. The inclusion of GQDs led to the enhancement of the dielectric constant of the nanocomposite at low frequencies. GQDs/Co0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 showed superparamagnetic properties which makes it a potential material to be used as a contrast agent in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) applications.