Sm3+ doping-adjusted mechanical, dielectric, and radiation shielding properties of cobalt copper nanoferrites

Abstract

The scarcity of research on the shielding properties of spinel ferrites underscores the necessity for more rigorous investigations. Consequently, this study introduces a facile synthesis method for Co, Cu, and Sm spinel nanoferrites (referred to as CCS nanoferrites) using the citrate combustion technique. The investigation focuses on their mechanical, dielectric, and gamma-ray shielding parameters. Gamma-ray shielding features are obtained theoretically via the Phy-X database. The particle size, nature, and distribution of the present CCS nanoferrites were analyzed using HR-TEM microscopy. HR-TEM results reveal both the spherical shapes and the aggregation of nanoparticles. These observations can be attributed to the interplay of high surface energy and magnetic interactions among the components of the CCS nanoferrites. The Co0.5Cu0.5Sm0.15Fe1.85O4 nanoferrite exhibits an optimal dielectric constant value of 4587, with an enhanced ratio of 1618% compared to the pristine CCS0 sample. Additionally, it demonstrates an optimal conductivity of 38.59 μ (Ω·m)−1, with an enhanced ratio of 1105%. Furthermore, the loss is reduced to 2.65, showing an improvement ratio of 54% compared to the pristine nanoferrite at room temperature and 50 Hz. Moreover, the longitudinal modulus, shear modulus, Young's modulus, and bulk modulus of the nanoferrite Co0.5Cu0.5Sm0.15Fe1.85O4 were increased from 1.79 to 4.96 GPa, 0.32–0.93 GPa, 0.88–2.56 GPa, and 1.37–3.73 GPa, respectively, when compared to the pristine sample. The comparative study of half-value layers at 0.662 MeV revealed that CCS nanoferrites exhibit smaller half-value layers than common radiation shielding materials. Additionally, the study highlighted the enhanced radiation shielding performance of the nanoferrites. Concerning the dielectric, mechanical, and ionizing radiation shielding properties of the CCS spinel nanoferrites, the CCS5 (with the highest Sm content) has the optimum ionizing radiation shielding ability with the highest dielectric and mechanical parameters compared to the other samples. The implications of these findings extend to potential applications in biomedicine, radiation protection, and the optimization of electronic devices operating in radiation fields.