Structural, optical and magnetic properties of Y-doped NiFe2O4 nanoparticles prepared by simple co-precipitation method

• Published in: Solid state sciences Vol. 138; p. 107149
• Main Authors: Anh Tien, Nguyen, Mittova, V.O., Sladkopevtsev, B.V., Quang Mai, Vo, Mittova, I. Ya, Xuan Vuong, Bui
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Masson SAS 01.04.2023
• Subjects: Co-precipitation method; Nanoparticles; Ni-ferrite; Optical and magnetic properties; Y-doping; Nanoparticles; Optical and magnetic properties; Co-precipitation method; Ni-ferrite; Y-doping
• DOI: 10.1016/j.solidstatesciences.2023.107149
• ISSN: 1293-2558

Undoped and Y-doped NiFe2O4 nanoparticles were successfully synthesized by the simple co-precipitation method without any organic gelation agent. The appropriate annealing temperature and time to obtain single-phase spinel NiFe2-xYxO4 (x = 0, 0.05, 0.1, and 0.15) is 800 °C for 1 h. The particle size measured from scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) images confirms the nanostructural character in the range of 20–40 nm. The crystallite size (DXRD = 27.54–17.43 nm) decreased while the cubic lattice parameters (a = 8.2981–8.3510 Å) increased as the Y3+ content in nickel ferrite spinel increased. Undoped and Y-doped NiFe2O4 nanoparticles have strong optical absorption in the UV (λ = 200–400 nm) and visible (λ = 400–600 nm) ranges, together with significantly lower band gap energy (Eg) compared to the NiFe2O4 materials synthesized by the sol-gel and hydrothermal methods (Eg = 1.57–1.67 eV). All the undoped and Y-doped NiFe2O4 samples exhibited strong ferromagnetic behaviour with narrow magnetic hysteresis loop and high magnetization. An increase in the doped Y3+ ion in the NiFe2O4 spinel crystal lattice reduced the saturation magnetization (Ms = 84.33–28.25 emu/g) while at the same time increasing the coercivity (Hc = 69.74–23.46 Oe) and remanent magnetization of the obtained materials (Mr = 84.33–28.25 emu/g). In this manners, Y-doped NiFe2O4 nanopowders, with a narrow band gap and strong ferromagnetic behaviour, can be used as catalysts for photochemical reactions, as well as materials for transformer cores, magnetic conductors, and gas sensors. [Display omitted] •Undoped and Y-doped NiFe2O4 nanoparticles were prepared by a simple co-precipitation method.•Average crystallite and particle sizes ∼20–40 nm.•Strong optical absorption and lower band gap energy (Eg).•Coercivity (Hc) of Y-doped NiFe2O4 ∼ 69.74–23.46 Oe.