Structural, dielectric and magnetic characteristics of praseodymium doped Cobalt-Zinc spinel ferrites for communication and microwave frequency applications

In this study, the sol-gel auto-combustion (SGAC) approach was used to synthesis praseodymium (Pr³⁺) substituted Zinc-Cobalt (ZC) ferrites, having general formula Co_0.7Zn_0.3Pr_xFe_2−xO₄ (x = 0.0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, and 0.20). X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed a secondary phase (PrFeO₃) with a composition of x ≥ 0.10 and the presence of FCC structure. The crystallite size (D) of Pr³⁺ doped ZC SFs decreased from 17.36 nm to 12.44 nm as the amount of Pr³⁺ doping increased. Additionally, the lattice constant saw an enhancement from 8.34 a (Å) to 8.96 a (Å) with the incorporation of Pr³⁺ into the ZC SFs. XRD and FTIR analysis verified the replacement of Pr³⁺ into ZC SFs. Inhomogeneous grain size distribution was seen in samples by applying the Scanning Electron Microscopic (SEM) technique. It was discovered that the dielectric loss decreased with the applied frequency, which is helpful for high frequency device applications. The substitutions of Pr³⁺ ions resulted in remanence (Mr (emu/g)), saturation magnetization (Ms (emu/g)) and coercivity (Hc (Oe)) maximum at x = 0.00 and minimum for x = 0.20 in ZC SFs, respectively. The maximum microwave frequency in GHz maximum for x = 0.00 (18.8 (GHz)) and minimum at sample x = 0.20 (7.86 (GHz)). According to the findings of our research, Pr³⁺ substituted spinel ferrites appear to be very useful in radar, satellite communication, space communication, and microwave frequency applications.