Optimization, structural, optical and magnetic properties of TiO2/ CoFe2O4 nanocomposites

Magneto-optical TiO2/xCoFe(2)O(4 )nanocomposites having various concentrations of CoFe2O4 (x = 2, 4 and 6 wt %) were prepared using facile mechanical mixing. X-ray diffraction was employed for the phase examination and microstructure parameters. X-ray diffraction spectra proved the formation of two separate phases: tetragonal titanium dioxide (TiO2) and face-centered cubic cobalt iron oxide. The structure was further verified by recognizing the selected area electron diffraction (SAED) pattern recorded by a high-resolution transmission microscope. The optical investigation of the prepared nanocomposites verified that the optical band gap values varied from 3.1 eV for pure TiO2 to 3.05 eV for TiO2/CoFe2O4 (6 wt %). The refractive index, optical dielectric constant and loss factor were discussed in detail. The nanocomposites (TiO2/xCoFe(2)O(4)) demonstrated ferromagnetic characteristics and their magnetic parameters were affected by the CoFe(2)O(4 )percentage in the composites. The sample x = 2 wt % depicted the maximum magnetic exchange bias at room temperature. Moreover, it showed maximum coercivity (HC) and magnetic squareness ratio (SQ), which makes it suitable for spintronic applications.

Automated summary

Magneto-optical TiO2/xCoFe(2)O(4) nanocomposites with various concentrations of CoFe2O4 were prepared using mechanical mixing. These nanocomposites exhibited ferromagnetic characteristics and their magnetic parameters were influenced by the percentage of CoFe2O4 in the composites.