Sol-gel Autocombustion Elaboration and Physiochemical Characterizations of Cu2+ Substituted Cobalt Ferrite Nanoparticles

Abstract

Introduction: The copper doped cobalt ferrite series, with nominal formula CuXCo1-XFe2O4 (X = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1), has been elaborated via sol-gel autocombustion process by copper substitution procedure into cobalt ferrite framework. Methods: The five synthesized ferrites have been analyzed by X-ray powder diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy coupled to energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, complex impedance spectroscopy and superconducting quantum interference device magnetometry. Results and Discussion: The analysis of the results allowed to deduce that the cubic spinel basic structure was not modified by the incorporation of copper into the host lattice and the corresponding pure fine powders obtained formed by homogeneous nanoparticles. The highest electrical conductivity value, σDC(373K) = 27.03x10-3S.cm-1, was observed in the case of CuFe2O4. Conclusion: Moreover, the superparamagnetic behavior at room temperature has been confirmed by using both ZFC-FC and hysteresis magnetic measurement modes. In addition, the remarkable electrical conductivity and magnetic properties of the five explored nanoferrites, derived from the present investigation, enabled them useful in several modern nanotechnological and biomedical applications.