Structural, optical and magnetic properties of cobalt doped hematite nanoparticles

Abstract

Pure α-Fe2O3 and Co-doped α-Fe2O3 (CFO) nanoparticles were synthesized by Co-precipitation method. The structure and the morphology of the samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), and a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The results showed that CFO nanoparticles have rhombohedral structure and that the Co2+ ions were well incorporated into the α-Fe2O3 crystal lattice, which are consistent with the results obtained from Raman spectroscopy. The crystallite sizes were in the range 36–38 nm, which are consistent with the results obtained from TEM and SEM images. Meanwhile, the Co doping could extend the visible light absorption of α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles. Furthermore, magnetic investigations demonstrate that magnetic properties strongly depend on doping content.