Structural, optical, morphological, dielectric and magnetic features of Neodymium substitution Co–Zn spinel ferrites prepared using sol–gel auto combustion method

Spinel ferrites are materials that have technological and industrial applications. In this study Neodymium (Nd³⁺) substituted Co–Zn spinel ferrites (CZNF) with chemical formula Co_0.7Zn_0.3Nd_xFe_2−xO₄ with the contents of (x = 0.00–0.20 with a 0.05 difference) was synthesized through sol–gel auto combustion method. The structure of the single-phase formations was verified by using X-ray diffraction (XRD). Moreover, in CZNF samples the crystallite size decreased as the Nd³⁺ concentrations increased, except for the x = 0.15 sample. Moreover, by using XRD and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, the Nd³⁺ substitution into CZNF spinel ferrite was confirmed. Using image-J software for microstructural analysis, it was discovered that adding Nd³⁺ ions to CZNF caused an increase in particle size from 7 to 35 nm. It was noted that using UV–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy the optical energy band gap (Eg) was maximum at x = 0.00 and minimum for x = 0.20 by additions of Nd³⁺ to the CZNF samples. The AC conductivity and dielectric constant of CZNF improved with the increase of Nd³⁺. The addition of Neodymium (Nd³⁺) ion also decreased the dielectric tangent losses in CZNF spinel ferrites. The saturation magnetization and microwave frequency for x = 0.00 were a maximum of 82.22 (emu/g) and 18.14 GHz, and for x = 0.20, they were a minimum of 25.01 emu/g and 5.48 GHz, respectively. They are prospective materials for a variety of applications because of their dielectric and magnetic qualities, including bolometric devices, microwave absorption materials, and microwave frequency operating devices.

The graphical abstract presents the synthesis process of pure and modified Co–Zn spinel ferrites by sol–gel auto-combustion technique. The prospective materials for a variety of applications because of their dielectric and magnetic qualities, including bolometric devices, microwave absorption materials, and microwave frequency operating devices.