Structural, micro-structure, magnetic and dynamic magneto-elastic properties of samarium-doped nickel-zinc spinel ferrites for efficient power conversion applications

Abstract

Development of high-quality ferrites behaved enhanced properties via inclusion of ions in 3dn and 4fn series are desirable for efficient power conversion solid-state devices. Nevertheless, inadequate microscopic behaviors with complex chemistry in materials enables researchers to design and produce the macroscopic target device that remained rudimentary and mindless. In this work, the microscopic properties in nickel-zinc spinel ferrite series of Ni0.8Zn0.2SmxFe2-xO4 (x = 0, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08) encompassing XRD, SEM, EDS, VSM, FTIR and ESR were systemically characterized, and the evolutionary mechanism of the corresponding structural, micro-structure, elemental composition and distribution, magnetic, cations exchange, and micro-magnetic behavior was profoundly revealed. Under microscopic examinations, the optimum composition at x = 0.02 with well-arranged spinel structure, dense texture with expected elemental composition, favorable soft magnetic properties and micro-magnetic behaviors is evident. Fortunately, this optimum is in coincidence with the achievable maximum magneto-mechanical coefficient, even the macroscopic electric properties with stronger magnetoelectric (ME) interactions and higher power conversion efficiency (PE) in tri-layered ME samples as expected. Experimental results show that the eventual PE reaches its maximum of 75.67 % under Ropt = 33kΩ for samples at x = 0.02, and exhibit a 2.24 times higher PE than that of sample without samarium substitution. These findings provide a holographic perspective to connect the microscopic beneficial effects of materials to bulk device that are promising for efficient power conversion solid-state electronics.