Synthesis, Characterizations and Magnetic Properties of Ce-Al Co-Doped Nickel Ferrite Nanoparticles

Abstract

Here, we report the synthesis, characterizations and magnetic properties of Ce-Al co-doped nickel ferrite. The samples of pure nickel ferrite ( NiFe2O4 ) and Ce-Al doped nickel ferrite (NiFe1.96Ce0.02Al0.02O4 ) were prepared in nanocrystalline form using sol-gel auto combustion method. X-ray diffraction technique was employed to know the phase purity and for the determination of structural properties. Examination of XRD pattern shows the presence of those reflections which belongs to cubic spinel structure indicating the formation of single phase cubic spinel structure. The lattice constant, X-ray density and other structural parameters were determined from the XRD data and the influence of Al-Ce doping is studied. It is observed from structural studies that the lattice constant and other structural parameters increased. as compared to pure nickel ferrite. The magnetic properties were studied at room temperature using pulsed field hysteresis loop technique. The M-H plot show typical ferrimagnetic behaviour from which the values of saturation magnetization, coercivity and remanence magnetization were obtained. The magnetic data suggests that, Al-Ce co-doping strongly influences the magnetic properties also. The doping of Ce-Al in nickel ferrite leads to canted spin structure. The observed magnetic bahaviour of Ce-Al doped nickel ferrite is explained on the basis of Neel’s and Yafet-Kittel model.