Effect of Zn substitution on the structural, magnetic, optical, and electrical properties of low-temperature-synthesized cobalt ferrites

Nano-crystalline particles of zinc-doped cobalt ferrite having chemical formula Co1-xZnxFe2O4 (x = 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04 and 0.05) were successfully synthesized via co-precipitation technique. Phase identification of cobalt-zinc ferrite nanoparticle was performed using x-ray diffraction (XRD). The increased zinc content resulted in phase change, depicted by shifting of peaks to the higher angle in cobalt ferrite samples. The lattice parameter increases with increase in zinc concentrates in accordance to Vegard's law. The absorbance was measured by ultraviolet visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy. Increase in the band gap energy by increasing zinc ion (Zn2+) concentration has been observed. Absorbance spectrophotometer was utilized to measure the amount of light passing through zinc-concentrated solution. It was observed that absorbance decreased sharply at wavelength of 650 nm, whereas it increases to maximum values when wavelength exceeds 700 nm. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra of zinc-doped cobalt ferrite were recorded in the spectral region of 4000-500 cm(-1). The morphologies of Co1-xZnxFe2O4 samples were also analyzed using scanning electron microscope (SEM). Particles with identical and significant tendency of forming metallic cluster were observed throughout the samples.

Automated summary

Nanocrystalline zinc-doped cobalt ferrite particles were successfully synthesized using co-precipitation, with XRD used for phase identification. UV-vis spectroscopy showed an increase in band gap energy with higher zinc content. FT-IR spectra and SEM analysis revealed the morphologies of the samples.