Synthesis and Characterization of Ce3+-Doped Ni0.5Cd0.5Fe2O4 Nanoparticles by Sol–Gel Auto-Combustion Method

Abstract

Cerium (Ce)-doped Ni0.5Cd0.5CexFe2−xO4 (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.20) was synthesized using the sol–gel auto-combustion method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that all the samples retained spinel cubic crystal structure with space group Fd3m at 800 °C. Crystal structure parameters, such as lattice constant, average crystallite size, and X-ray density were estimated from the major XRD (311) peak. Bulk density and porosity were also calculated. The average crystallite size was estimated to be in the range of 20–24 nm. SEM images displayed agglomerated particles with a porous morphology. The dielectric constant (ε′) increased and the dielectric loss tangent (tanδ) decreased with rising Ce concentration. The hysteresis loop (M–H loop) was measured at room temperature using a vibrating-sample magnetometer (VSM), which showed a nonlinear decrease in magnetization and coercivity with increasing Ce concentration.