Impact of CNTs Incorporation on Structural, Optical and Dielectric Properties of Ag Doped Spinel CoFe₂O₄ Nanohybrid and Their Photovoltaic Possibilities

CNTs decorated Ag-CoFe₂O₄ (ACFO) nanocomposite was synthesized using a simple solvothermal method using green synthesis method by okra plant extract. The prepared materials were micro-analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements, Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) spectra, RAMAN, Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) microanalysis. FESEM micrographs show the average diameter of the ACFO nanoparticles is estimated to be about 40 nm and the particles seem to be agglomerated and clustered. With incorporation of CNTs, the luminescence is substantially quenched owing to the interfacial charge transfer between the ferrites and walls of CNTs as evident from room temperature PL measurements. Light dependent electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) indicates the incidence of a light dependent dielectric relaxation phenomenon. Under illumination, the cole-cole plot seems to be decreasing which is owed to the production of excitons occurring within the system and thereafter it starts to diffuse towards the interface. Massive dielectric values with low loss suggest the CNTs decorated nanohybrid to be well suited for high frequency device application. Interestingly, incorporation of CNTs alters the electronic configuration of the nanocomposites inducing ferromagnetic interaction as observed from the magnetic plot.