Ni Zn Nanoferrites Research Articles

High performance Sm substituted Ni-Zn catalysts for green hydrogen generation via Photo/Electro catalytic water splitting processes

In this work, samarium doped Ni-Zn catalysts with a composition of Ni0.9Zn0.1SmyFe2-yO4 (y = 0–0.03) are made by inorganic sol–gel auto-combustion (SC) route. These Ni-Zn materials depict the forming of typical cubic crystal structure (Fd3m) and it is affirmed by the X-ray diffraction plots. The existence of cubic, spherical, and aggregated shaped grains with an average grain size that falls in between the range of 188 to 316 nm are confirmed from the FESEM images of prepared materials. According to the photo catalytic water splitting research findings, the total hydrogen yield for the Ni-Zn1, Ni-Zn2, Ni-Zn3, and Ni-Zn4 catalysts after four hours are 16.17, 15.02, 23.47 and 24.99 mmol gcat-1. Among all the compositions, the Ni-Zn4 photocatalyst exhibits the maximum photocatalytic performance of 24.99 mmol gcat-1. However, the Ni-Zn4 sample also shows the high electro catalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance. With their outstanding photo/electro performance, the synthesized Sm-doped Ni-Zn nanoferrites shows great promise as potential candidates for the green hydrogen generation.

Synthesis and characterization of cerium doped NiZn nano ferrites as substrate material for multi band MIMO antenna.

In addressing issues related to electromagnetic interference, the demand for ferrite materials with exceptional magnetic and dielectric properties has escalated recently. In this research, sol-gel auto combustion technique prepared Nickel zinc ferrites substituted with cerium, denoted as Ni0.5Zn0.5Ce0.02Fe1.98O4.X-ray diffraction (XRD), Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM), and Field Emissions Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) were used to investigate the structure, magnetic properties, and morphology of Cerium doped NiZn Nano ferrites, respectively. The magnetic and dielectric properties of the sample was examined within a frequency range of 2.5-5.5 GHz. Sample exhibits low permittivity (2.2), high permeability (1.4), low dielectric (0.35) and magnetic loss tangent (-0.5) and highest saturation magnetization measuring 30.28 emu/g. A Novel Double-band, 4x4 MIMO window grill-modeled antennas operating on 3.5 GHz and 4.8 GHz frequency bands for 5G smartphones is designed using the CST microwave studio suite. The performance of window grilled 4x4 MIMO antenna model with Cerium doped NiZn nano ferrites as substrate, is investigated and found the return loss of -35 and -32 dB, with the bandwidth of 200MHz, gain (1.89 & 4.38dBi), envelope correlation coefficient (0.00185), channel capacity loss (0.2bps/Hz), and interterminal isolation of (22& 19dB).The results show that the antenna size is reduced with improved bandwidth, higher isolation and better diversity gain performance using Cerium doped NiZn nano ferrite substrate compared to conventional dielectric substrates.

Optimization of reaction variables in the sol-gel synthesis of Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 nanoparticles as a very fast adsorbent of methylene blue

An optimization study for the sol-gel synthesis of Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 nanoparticles and their performance for the adsorptive removal of the methylene blue (MB) dye was reported. The as-produced samples and their associated calcined corresponding ones in the range of 400–800 °C were systematically characterized for their structure and microstructure using different techniques. For the expected best candidate for the MB removal, the pure NiZn nanoferrite (optimized parameters: Fuel=Urea; pH=5; [Fe3+]:0.025 M; Total nitrate to fuel molar ratio=8/6.66) consists of ultrasmall nanocrystals with an average crystallite size of ∼4 nm. For the optimization study of adsorptive removal of the MB dye by selected ultrasmall NiZn ferrite nanoparticles, various critical physicochemical parameters were varied. Regarding the effect of calcination temperature, it was demonstrated that the nanoferrite calcined at 500 °C showed the best removal efficiency of MB (for instance ∼43% and ∼72%, for the as-prepared and the nanoferrite calcined at 500 °C, respectively). For the selected nanoparticles, the removal efficiency was found to increase in a monotonous manner in the pH range of 4–11. This increase was faster with pH values higher than the pHPZC (∼8). For instance, it is ∼10% for pH∼4, ∼18% for pH∼8 and ∼62% for pH∼11. Whereas, the uptake capacity of the dye onto the produced nanoparticles was found to decrease and increase, respectively, with the increase in the dosage and in the MB concentration. Whatever the dye concentration, almost of the removable amount of the dye takes place in the first 30 s. The very fast adsorption rate observed in the initial stage was mainly attributed to the external surface properties of the ferrite nanoparticles. Additionally, for an industrial, economic and environmental purposes, the reusability efficiency of the nanoparticles was tested. The nanoadsorbent was stable for up to five adsorption–desorption–regeneration–reuse consecutive cycles without obvious decrease in the removal efficiency for dyes.

Enhancement of Ni–Zn ferrite nanoparticles parameters via cerium element for optoelectronic and energy applications

This work is concerned with fabricating ferrite nanoparticles of nickel–zinc with the chemical formula: Ni0.55Zn0.45Fe2−xCexO4, 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.011 by co-deposition technique and modifying their electrical, microscopic, spectroscopic, optical, electrical and dielectric properties as advanced engineering materials through doping with the cerium (Ce) element. XRD patterns displayed that the samples have a monophasic Cerium–Nickel–zinc (CNZ) spinel structure without other impurities for cerium concentration (x) ≤ 0.066. Both values of crystallite size and lattice parameters decrease from 33.643 to 23.137 nm and from 8.385 to 8.353 nm, respectively, with the increasing Ce ions substitution content from 0 to 0.066. SEM images indicate that grains of the fabricated compounds are smaller, more perfect, more homogeneous, and less agglomeration than those of the un-doped Ni–Zn nano-ferrites. The maximum intensity of first-order Raman spectral peaks (Eg, F2g(2), A1g(2), and A1g(1)) of CNZ ferrite nanoparticles are observed at about (330, 475, 650, 695) cm−1, respectively, that confirms the CNZ samples have the cubic spinel structure. The direct and indirect optical energy bandgaps of CNZ samples have a wide spectrum of values from semiconductors to insulators according to cerium concentration. The results showed that the values of dielectric constant, dielectric loss factor, and Ac conductivity and the conductivity transition temperature are sensitive to cerium ions content. AC conductivity exhibited by the CNZ samples has the semiconductor materials behavior, where the AC conductivity increases due to temperature or doping concentration. The results indicate that Ni0.55Zn0.45Fe1.944Ce0.066O4 ferrite nanoparticles may be selected for optoelectronic devices, high-frequency circuits, and energy storage applications.

A new hybrid non-aqueous approach for the development of Co doped Ni-Zn ferrite nanoparticles for practical applications: Cation distribution, magnetic and antibacterial studies

Ni-Zn spinel nanoferrite with a composition Ni0.6-xZn0.4CoxFe2O4 (x = 0.00, 0.033, 0.066, 0.132, 0.264 and 0.528) was produced at a low reaction temperature using a novel hybrid direct non-aqueous approach that eliminates the need for a complexing agent and a precursor that adjusts pH. The developed Ni0.567Zn0.4Co0.033Fe2O4 (x = 0.033), Ni0.534Zn0.4Co0.066Fe2O4 (x = 0.066) and Ni0.072Zn0.4Co0.528Fe2O4 (x = 0.528) nanoferrites attains the single-phase spinel cubic nano symmetry with a crystallite size of 54.91, 47.55, and 48.98 nm, respectively. Spherical shaped nanoparticles with aggregated behaviour were confirmed for the produced nanoferrites. XPS spectra of Ni0.072Zn0.4Co0.528Fe2O4 nanoferrite confirms the detection of major photoemission peaks of Zn2p, Ni2p, Co2p, Fe2p, O1s, and C1s. According to the BET research investigation, Ni0.072Zn0.4Co0.528Fe2O4 nanoferrite having specific surface area of 2.309 m2/g. The highest saturation magnetization and coercivity of 37.09 emu/g and 108.85 Oe was attained at higher doping content of cobalt (x = 0.528). With this nano crystalline nature and excellent magnetic factors, the developed nanoferrites are highly beneficial for the recording media applications to get the suitable signal to noise ratio and also, for multi-layer chip inductors (MLCIs). From the antibacterial investigation, it was observed that the produced Co doped Ni-Zn ferrites (x = 0.033, 0.264) shows high zone of inhibition (ZOI) for E. coli and Bacillus subtilis but the rest of the samples (x = 0.0, 0.066, 0.132, 0.528) shows no ZOI for both the bacterial strains. Therefore, the prepared Co doped Ni-Zn nanoferrites also works as superior antibacterial agent for biological application.

Synthesis and characterization of Tb doped Ni–Zn nano ferrites as substrate material for dual band MIMO antenna

Recently, ferrite materials with outstanding characteristics, like reflection and absorption ability, lightweight, and thinness in size, are essential to resolve electromagnetic interference challenges. In the present work, Terbium doped Nickel-Zink nano-ferrite material with a composition of Ni0.5Zn0.5Tb0.02Fe1.98O4 was prepared and used as a substrate in a dual-band yagi-Uda-shaped 4×4 multi input multi output antenna. X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements confirmed the cubic spinel ferrite sample. A vibrating sample magnetometer and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope analysis are also performed to evaluate its magnetic and morphological properties. Dielectric constant (εr) and permeability (μr) are determined using a vector network analyzer. The Multi Input Multi Output (MIMO) antenna operates in dual frequency bands of 3.5 and 5.8 GHz, which is suitable for fifth-generation smartphone applications. The performance of a yagi-Uda-shaped 4×4 MIMO antenna with terbium-doped Nickel-Zink ferrite used as a substrate is explored regarding return loss, radiation efficiency, bandwidth, gain, inter-terminal isolation, envelope correlation coefficient, and Channel Capacity Loss. It is found that the size of the MIMO antenna is reduced with improved bandwidth, isolation, and Channel Capacity Loss performance using a nano-ferrite substrate as compared to those conventional Flame retardant (FR4) substrates.

Synthesis, structural, antimicrobial activity and dielectric properties of Ce3+-doped Ni–Zn nano-ferrites

Synthesis, structural, antimicrobial activity and dielectric properties of Ce3+-doped Ni–Zn nano-ferrites

Effect of Rare Earth Nd3+ Doping on Electrical Properties of Citrate - Gel Synthesized Ni-Zn Nanoferrites for High Frequency Applications

An attempt was made to elucidate the impact of Nd3+ ionic (Ni0.5Zn0.5NdxFe2-xO4, where x = 0.00, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2 and 0.25) substitution on electrical properties of Ni-Zn-Nd nanoferrites synthesized by optimized citrate-gel combustion route. DC and AC dielectric properties were studied for all the synthesized samples as a function of frequency and temperature. DC resistivity follows decreasing trend till x = 0.15, thereafter increases with the increasing concentration of Nd3+, speculating that Nd3+ ions impede the formation of Fe2+ ions. A linear trend for dc resisitivity with temperature was suggesting semiconducting behavior in all the doped samples. Furhter, drift mobility and activation energies were also estimated, were explained on the basis of cite preferences, variations of ionic radii and the hopping mechanism involved by the ions in these samples. Frequency dependance conductivity measurements were taken in the range of 1 to 107 Hz at 300 K recommend that Nd3+ regulates the conduction mechanism. Observed restuls in dielectric and conductivities infers that these are suitable for high frequency applications.

Synthesis and characterization of Ca substituted Ni-Zn nanoferrites- microstructural, magnetic and dielectric analysis

A series of cubic spinel structured, nanocrystalline and monophasic samples of the composition CaxNi0.4Zn0.6−xFe2O4 (x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, and 0.6) samples were synthesized via a chemical citrate precursor route, sintered at 700 °C. Raman and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) investigations confirmed the single-phase cubic spinel configuration of the nanoferrites. A study of linearly fitted Williamson-Hall plots obtained using XRD data revealed the spinel structure of the prepared samples with the minute structural disorder wherein low values were estimated for lattice strain, ε, (0.003 × 10−3 −1.66 ×10−3) and dislocation density, δ, (0.665 × 10−3-1.73 × 10−3) for different Ca concentrations. The nanoferrites of Ca-doped Ni-Zn were found to be highly magnetic when subjected to a maximum applied field of 20 kOe under VSM investigations. Nanoferrite composition with x = 0.4 exhibited the maximum magneto-crystalline anisotropy constant (11452), remanent magnetization (22 emu/g), and coercivity (199.91 Oe) while maximum saturation magnetization (65.27 emu/g) and magnetic moment (2.756 μB) were found for the Ca0.1Ni0.4Zn0.5Fe2O4 composition. The samples were synthesized to explore their utilization in storage devices and high-frequency devices.

Influential trivalent ion (Cr3+) substitution in mixed Ni–Zn nanoferrites: Cation distribution, magnetic, Mossbauer, electric, and dielectric studies

Herein, we report the influence of trivalent chromium (Cr3+) ion substitution on the electric, dielectric, and hyperfine interaction properties of a mixed Ni–Zn nanoferrite system synthesized by an auto combustion solution-gelation route. The XRD analysis verified the monophase nanocrystalline formation of prepared ferrites belonging to the spinel group with a cubic structure. TEM images displayed the sphere-like morphologies of the typical nanoferrite sample. FT-IR spectra uncover the occurrence of two absorption frequency bands in the desired region belonging to spinel ferrite. The magnetic parameters decreased significantly with increasing Cr3+ concentration. Mossbauer parameters, such as the hyperfine field, line-width, isomer shift and quadrupole splitting, were deduced for all the samples. DCR studies confirmed the semiconducting behavior of all the samples with an increasing resistivity trend after Cr3+ substitution. The dielectric study showed a decreasing trend with an increase in Cr3+ concentration. All the results display the influential substitution of Cr3+ ions in the Ni–Zn ferrite system, which shows the usability of the prepared samples in higher frequency ranging systems.

Microwave absorption properties of rare earth (RE) ions doped Mn–Ni–Zn nanoferrites (RE = Dy, Sm, Ce, Er) to shield electromagnetic interference (EMI) in X-band frequency

Sol-gel auto combustion technique has been adopted to prepare RE doped Mn–Ni–Zn ferrite systems following the stoichiometry Mn0.1Ni0.7Zn0.2RE0.5Fe1.5O4 (RE = Dy, Ce, Sm and Er). The XRD patterns confirm the cubic spinel phase with the Fd3m space group and the lattice parameter and crystallite size were found to be in the range of 8.3874–8.4066 Å and 28.6–33.2 nm. The M − H data indicates the soft magnetic behaviour of present ferrite systems. The substitution of rare-earth ions in the spinel structure influences the superexchange interaction and in turn, affects the magnetic behaviour of present ferrite systems. The highest value of saturation magnetization equal to 41.2 emu/g was observed for the sample with a composition of Mn0.1Ni0.7Zn0.2Ce0.5Fe1.5O4. For all the ferrite systems studied here the real part (ε′) of complex permittivity is increasing with an increase in frequency while oscillatory nature can be found in the imaginary part (ε″). The value of ε′ found in the range of 5.421–5.856 at 8.2 GHz and it is 5.538–6.066 at 12.4 GHz. The value of ε″ is in the range of 0.092–0.104 at 8.2 GHz while it is in between 0.042 and 0.105 at 12.4 GHz. A wavy nature can be seen in the real part (μ′) of complex permeability whereas the imaginary part (μ″) is decreasing for all compositions with the increase in frequency, but shows a weak resonance peak between 9 and 10 GHz. The value of μ′ is in the range of 0.869–0.958 at 8.2 GHz and it is 0.903–0.925 at 12.4 GHz. The value of μ″ fall in between 0.269 and 0.334 at 8.2 GHz and it is in the range of 0.059–0.068 at 12.4 GHz. The shielding studies for EMI revealed that the present systems are working as microwave absorbers. The total effective shielding for all ferrite systems is in the range of 33.31–36.09 dB 8.2 GHz while it is in between 32.74 and 34.98 dB at 12.4 GHz. Under the investigation of shielding performance, it is observed that all the RE doped Mn–Ni–Zn ferrites systems studied here can effectively suppress the electromagnetic interference in X-band frequency. The ferrite system with composition Mn0.1Ni0.7Zn0.2Ce0.5Fe1.5O4 has shown a potential microwave absorber in X-band frequency.

Effects of γ-irradiation on AC electrical and impedance spectroscopy of Ni-Zn nano ferrites

Herein we report the effect of γ-irradiation on the structural and AC electrical properties of Ni-Zn nanoparticles synthesised via the citrate auto-combustion technique. The x-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of the samples revealed a decreasing trend of the crystallite size with increasing concentration of Zn2+ ions, and -irradiation alters the crystallite size for more Ni2+ ion concentrations. The lattice constant was found to increase with Zn2+concentration, with the highest for x = 0.6. However, after irradiation, substantial change occurs. The lattice strain is greater for x = 1 as well as lower for x = 0.4. The observable modifications in the morphology of the samples upon irradiation are identified. The AC-electrical behaviour of the sample was studied before and after γ-irradiation in the frequency range of 1 MHz–23 MHz. Studies show that the dielectric constant increases on irradiation, whereas the dielectric loss and AC conductivity decline after irradiation. The dielectric relaxation changes from non-Debye to Havriliak–Negami relaxation, which is the significance of asymmetric broadness in the relaxation process. The collective AC electrical properties were signifies the radiation absorption response.

Synthesis, structural, magnetic and optical studies of Eu doped Ni–Zn nano ferrites

Ni–Zn ferrites exhibit properties like high resistivity, high Curie temperature, and low relative loss. In this paper, the impact of the small doping of Europium on structural, magnetic and optical properties of Ni–Zn ferrites has been investigated. The samples were prepared through the Sol-Gel method and grounded powders were calcined at 500 °C for 4hrs. Cubic crystalline structure with Fd-3m space group was confirmed for all ferrites by XRD and Ritveld refinement. Surface morphology of the samples was revealed by SEM. The cation distribution and crystal deformation were observed from Raman spectra with increasing Eu3+ ions content. The band gap energy values were calculated from UV–Visible spectra which are in the order of 1.6 eV and these values were directly proportional to the lattice constant. Room temperature magnetic properties were studied and the variation in the properties with the doping was discussed. From magnetic properties of Eu doped Ni–Zn ferrites it was found that these are suitable for core material in transformers and in power transmission.

Adsorption of Cd and Cr ions from industrial wastewater using Ca doped Ni–Zn nanoferrites: Synthesis, characterization and isotherm analysis

Removal of heavy metals (Cd and Cr) from industrial wastewater by adsorption onto a series of Ca substituted nickel zinc nanoferrites (CaxNi0.4Zn0.6-xFe2O4 (x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5 and 0.6)) (CNZNFs) was studied in detail. The effect of calcium doping and contact time over adsorption of cadmium and chromium ions was investigated and maximum uptake of Cd (98.25%) and Cr (51%) ions were marked by prepared nanoadsorbents. Structural studies confirmed the formation of spinel structured nanoparticles with crystallite size ranging from 24 to 38 nm while porosity was observed to vary from 52% to 58% with calcium concentration. Pseudo second order (PSO) kinetic model for adsorption of both heavy metals (cadmium and chromium) was observed to be better fitted with adsorption data. Maximum adsorption efficiencies for Cd (128.20 mg/g) and Cr (23.54 mg/g) were found by the data fit of Langmuir isotherm model. Additionally, the adsorption data was found to obey Langmuir isotherm model for both heavy metals due to higher values of correlation coefficients (R2 = 0.94131 for cadmium and 0.91091 for chromium) than Freundlich isotherm model (R2 = 0.5865 for cadmium and 0.4599 for chromium).

Effect of bismuth doped Ni-Zn nanoferrite on structural and magnetic properties

The citrate precursor method was used to investigate bismuth substituted Ni-Zn nanoferrites with content Ni0.5Zn0.5BixFe2-xO4 having step size 0.02. Bismuth was incorporated to Ni-Zn spinel ferrite in order to customize its properties. The XRD, VSM determined the structural and magnetic properties of the synthesized samples. The average crystallite size was determined to be between 15 and 28 nm. Except at x = 0.06, a tensile strain was found with a rise in bismuth content using the Williamson-Hall method. The dislocation density was found from 2.95 × 10−3 to 8.22 × 10−3 Å−2. The value of saturation magnetization varies from 57 to70 emu/g and retentivity was in the range 5 to17 emu/g. The squareness ratio of the prepared Bi doped nanoferrites sample has value less than 0.5 which reveals the single domain nature of the prepared materials. This occurrence of uniaxial anisotropy concluded that these ferrites can be used in microwave-absorbing and permanent magnetic material applications.

Microstructural, electrical and magnetic properties of Ni-Zn nanoferrites sintered at high temperature

The nanoparticles of Ni1-xZnxFe2O4 (x = 0 and 0.5) were prepared via a citrate precursor method and sintered at 700 °C for 3 h. The structural, electrical and magnetic properties of nickel ferrites before and after substitution of zinc ions were studied using XRD (X-Ray Diffraction method), FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy), VSM (Vibrating Sample Magnetometer) and two probe method. The morphology of prepared samples was examined using SEM analysis. The Raman spectra confirmed the cubic spinel structures of prepared nanoparticles. The observed crystallite size and porosity of NiFe2O4 (38 nm and 43%) were higher for Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 (25 nm and 38%) nanoparticles. Electrical resistivity increased drastically from 3.31 × 108 Ωm to 2.52 × 109 Ωm for NiFe2O4 and Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 respectively. Specific saturation magnetization (34 emu/g (x = 0) and 63.65 emu/g (x = 0.5)), coercivity (389 Oe (x = 0) and 115 Oe (x = 0.5)) and remnant magnetization (12.62 emu/g (x = 0) and 12.36 emu/g (x = 0.5)) of ferrite nanoparticles were observed.

A comparative study of structural, electrical and dielectric properties of Ni-Zn and Co-Zn nanoferrites

Ni-Zn ferrite and Co-Zn ferrite having composition Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 and Co0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 were synthesized using citrate precursor method. Single phase cubic spinel structure with space group Fd3m was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies of the prepared samples. The crystallite size was found to be 42 nm and 28 nm for Ni-Zn and Co-Zn nanoferrites respectively. The FTIR spectra showed the metal stretching vibrations at tetrahedral sites and octahedral sites for both the ferrites. The dielectric and electrical study was done to calculate various parameters like dielectric loss tangent and dc resistivity. The prepared ferrites are found to have good insulating properties due to high value of dc resistivity with values 5.39 × 1010 Ω-cm for Ni-Zn ferrite and 3.4 × 1010 Ω-cm for Co-Zn ferrite. Also, due to low value of loss tangent at high frequency i.e. 0.05 at 1 MHz for Ni-Zn nanoferrite, these ferrites may be used in the high frequency applications.

Doping Independent Work Function and Stable Band Gap of Spinel Ferrites with Tunable Plasmonic and Magnetic Properties.

Tuning optical or magnetic properties of nanoparticles, by addition of impurities, for specific applications is usually achieved at the cost of band gap and work function reduction. Additionally, conventional strategies to develop nanoparticles with a large band gap also encounter problems of phase separation and poor crystallinity at high alloying degree. Addressing the aforementioned trade-offs, here we report Ni-Zn nanoferrites with energy band gap (Eg) of ≈3.20 eV and a work function of ≈5.88 eV. While changes in the magnetoplasmonic properties of the Ni-Zn ferrite were successfully achieved with the incorporation of bismuth ions at different concentrations, there was no alteration of the band gap and work function in the developed Ni-Zn ferrite. This suggests that with the addition of minute impurities to ferrites, independent of their changes in the band gap and work function, one can tune their magnetic and optical properties, which is desired in a wide range of applications such as nanobiosensing, nanoparticle based catalysis, and renewable energy generation using nanotechnology.

Effect of Cu substitution on magnetic and DC electrical resistivity properties of Ni–Zn nanoferrites

Effect of Cu substitution on magnetic and DC electrical resistivity properties of Ni–Zn nanoferrites

Impact of particle size on the magnetic properties of highly crystalline Yb3+ substituted Ni–Zn nanoferrites

Yb-substituted Ni0.5Zn0.5YbxFe2−xO4 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.20 in the step of 0.04) ferrites have been synthesized using sol–gel auto combustion method. The structural characterization of the compositions has been performed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), quantum design physical properties measurement system (PPMS) that ensured the formation of single phase cubic spinel structure. Crystallite and average grain size are calculated and found to decrease with increasing Yb3+ contents. Saturation magnetization (Ms) and Bohr magnetic moment (µB) decrease while the coercivity increases with the increase in Yb3+ contents and successfully explained by the Neel’s collinear two sub-lattice model and critical size effect, respectively. Critical particle size has been estimated at 6.4 nm from the DXRD vs. Ms, Hc plot, the transition point between single domain regime (below the critical size) and multi-domain regime (beyond the critical size). Curie temperature (Tc) reduces due to the weakening of A–O–B super exchange interaction and redistribution of cations, confirmed by the M–T graph. The compositions retain ferromagnetic ordered structured below Tc and above Tc, it becomes paramagnetic, making them plausible candidates for high temperature magnetic device applications. The relative quality factor (RQF) peak is obtained at a very high frequency (≥ 108 MHz), indicating the compositions could also be applicable for high frequency magnetic device applications.