The effect of Ce3+ doping on structural, optical, ferromagnetic resonance, and magnetic properties of ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles

Abstract

Herein, we used the ultrasound irradiation to assist the sol–gel method for the synthesis of spinel ZnCexFe2 − xO4 nanoparticles. The patterns obtained from energy dispersive x-rays (EDX) analysis and elements mapping demonstrate the appropriate elemental stoichiometry and spatial distribution in the prepared samples. The Rietveld refinement patterns revealed the successful synthesis of the cubic-structured ZnFe2 − xCexO4 without any secondary phases. The crystallite size of ZnFe2 − xCexO4 ranged from 7 to 11 nm. Also, the optical bandgap for ZnFe2 − xCexO4 decreased from 2.1 eV to 1.77 eV. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy was used to study the ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) characteristics of the ZnFe2 − xCexO4 samples. The resonance field was increased from 3362.65 Gauss to 3401.76 Gauss, while the line width decreased from 598.90 to 455.72 Gauss. The saturation magnetization was enhanced from 2.43 emu/g for x = 0.00 to 9.38 emu/g for x = 0.02. In addition, the values of coercivity (Hc) and remanence magnetization (Mr) were significantly lowered. The great value of saturation magnetization together with low values of Hc and Mr of Ce3+-substituted Zn ferrites makes them potential candidates for the microwave absorption field.