Optical and Magnetic Studies of Y-Doped Nano γ-Fe2O3

Using a sol-gel route, nanocrystals of gamma-Fe2-xYxO3 were prepared with various mole fractions x =0.00, 0.02, 0.04, and 0.06 of Y. XPS confirmed the Y-doping of the samples and rolled out the occurrence of any oxidation states other than Y3+ and Fe3+. Cubic nanocrystals with space group P4(3)32 were observed using XRD and FTIR with monotonically decreasing cell parameters and an average size of about 20 nm. The effect of Y-doping on optical properties was investigated using UV-Vis diffuse scattering, and enhanced nonlinear optical parameters were observed for the Y-doped samples. A mixed ferromagnetic and paramagnetic behavior was observed by VSM measurements along with minor changes in other magnetic properties.

Automated summary

In this study, nanocrystals of gamma-Fe2-xYxO3 with different mole fractions of Y were prepared using a sol-gel route. The Y-doping effect on optical and magnetic properties was investigated.