Optimization of structure, optical, magnetic, and radiation shielding properties of ZnO@xSrFe12O19 nanocomposites

Abstract

Abstract In this work, the pristine ZnO, SrFe12O19 (SFO), and their nanocomposites (ZnO/x SFO: x = 1, 3 and 5%) were synthesized by co-precipitation and sonomechanical method. The x-ray diffraction data validate the preparation of ZnO, SFO, and nanocomposite samples with high phase purity. The optical band gap was calculated from UV–vis-NIR diffuse reflectance measurements, and it was modified by increasing SFO content. Adding 1, 3, and 5 wt% of SFO to the ZnO matrix showed ferromagnetic characteristics for the nanocomposites with a squareness ratio of around 0.49, which considered these nanocomposites as a magnetic semiconductor suitable for digital memory and spintronic applications. Additionally, the radiation shielding features of the prepared samples were evaluated. The shielding parameters for the studied samples were obtained using the Phy-X/PSD program. The fast neutron removal cross-section of SFO was 0.094 cm−1, the highest among the investigated samples, while the composites had similar values, about 0.083 cm−1. The results indicated that the γ--ray attenuation ability and the values of exposure buildup factor for the prepared samples were close. Therefore, ZnO, SFO, and their nanocomposites compared to stationary shielding materials (SMs), can be candidates for applications where radiation protection is needed.