Influence of neodymium doping in tuning microstructural, optical and magneto-dielectric properties of nickel ferrite nanoparticles

The present work reports the successful synthesis of pure and doped nickel ferrite (NFO) nanoparticles by a solgel technique using nitrates salts as precursors. A systematic investigation is done to study the impact of rare earth Neodymium (Nd) doping for modulating the microstructural, optical, electrical and magnetodielectric properties of NFO. Shifting of diffraction peaks towards higher glancing angles by Nd doping is confirmed through X-ray analysis. The Nelson-Riley extrapolation method evaluates the average value of lattice parameters. Scanning electron microscopy confirms noticeable morphological changes in doped NFO. Polycrystallinity arising in higher doping concentrations is visualized from transmission electron microscopy. Uv-visible spectroscopy demonstrates the redshift phenomenon in Nd-doped NFO due to the shrinkage of the band structure. Electric modulus and impedance studies show a higher frequency shift of relaxation peaks for doped samples. The enhancement of magnetodielectric response and the operational frequency is achieved with the effect of Nd ions doping.

Automated summary

This study reports the successful synthesis of pure and doped nickel ferrite nanoparticles using a solgel technique. The impact of rare earth Nd doping on the microstructural, optical, electrical, and magnetodielectric properties of NFO is systematically investigated.