The Effect of Al³⁺ Additive on the Structural, Optical, and Magnetic Properties of Al-Cd Ferrites Fabricated by Coprecipitation Method

Abstract

In the present study, Al-Cd ferrites of nominal composition AlxCd1−xFe2O4 (x = 0-0.5) were prepared by coprecipitation method. The effect of Al +3 additive on the structural, optical, and magnetic properties of the as-prepared Al-Cd ferrites was investigated. Samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, UV spectroscopy and vibrating sample magnetometer techniques. The magnetic analysis indicated that all of the samples in different compositions showed ferromagnetic behavior. Along with the X-ray diffraction patterns, the formation of single-phase cubic spinel structure and the lattice parameter were identified in the range of 8.6492-8.6984 Å. Scanning electron microscopy measurements showed that the smallest ferrite nanoparticles were obtained when the stoichiometric composition factor (x) value was 0.4. As an additional characterization, the Fourier transform infrared spectra was investigated, and the characteristic absorption, bands belonging to ferrite nanoparticles were identical around 530 cm −1 and 430 cm −1. The tetrahedral and the octahedral complex formation was proved by the observation of higher frequency (ν1), and lower frequency (ν2) bands by Fourier transform infrared method, respectively. UV-Vis characterization performed for the determination of Eg values depending on changing Al concentration and found as 2.07-2.24 eV. From the magnetic measurements, all the Al-doped Cd ferrites exhibit S-shaped narrow hysteresis loops revealing soft ferromagnetic nature of the formed ferrites.