Physical characterization, magnetic interactions and DC electrical resistivity properties of La3+ substituted NiZnCd nano ferrites

Abstract

In this article, we substituted La3+ ions to explore the structural, magnetic, and DC electrical resistivity properties of Ni0.5Zn0.4Cd0.1Fe2-xLaxO4 (x = 0.0, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, and 0.08) nano-structured spinel ferrites. We employed X-ray diffraction (XRD), Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) with Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), and electrical measurements to characterize the studied samples, which were synthesized using the sol–gel auto-combustion process. XRD analysis confirmed that the prepared materials formed a single-phase nanostructure. Using Debye-Scherer's formula, we calculated the average crystallite size, which ranged from 29.01 to 21.52 nm. FESEM images demonstrated that each sample exhibited spherical nanocrystalline behavior. The variations of the prepared samples were confirmed constitutionally by EDX. The FTIR data revealed two absorption bands for all synthesized materials at υ1 = 562.18 to 590.51 cm−1 and υ2 = 410.18 to 430.51 cm−1, corresponding to the tetrahedral and octahedral sites of the spinel structure, respectively. Vibrant sample magnetometry spectra were utilized to investigate how La3+-doping affects the magnetic characteristics of NiZnCd ferrite. Due to enhanced La3+-doping, saturation magnetization, and coercivity values decreased. The La3+ doping of NiZnCd nano ferrites resulted in changes in saturation magnetization (from 83.66 to 69.57 emu/g), coercivity (from 33.75 to 60.51 Oe), and remanence magnetization (from 29.62 to 33.12 emu/g). These variations suggest the potential utility of the samples for magnetic recording and memory applications. The semiconducting behavior has been confirmed by the DC electrical resistivity measured values using a two-probe method. Data on DC electrical resistivity were also utilized to determine carrier concentration and activation energy, establishing a connection with La3+ replacement.