for elastic parameters calculation of (Mg1/3Ni1/3Co1/3 Determination of cations distribution from XPS measurements )Fe2-xGdxO4 nanoparticles

In the present study, the synthesis, using the wet co-precipitation method, and characterization of (Mg1/3Ni1/3Co1/3)Fe2-XGdXO4, with x = 0.00, 0.02 and 0.08 wt% nanoparticles were reported. The X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirm the formation of nano-spinel ferrite. The crystallite size of (Mg1/3Ni1/3Co1/3)Fe2-XGdXO4 nanoparticles decreased, resulting from the microstrain induced by Gd3+ substitution. However, the lattice parameter a increased, in agreement with the difference between the ionic radii of Fe3+ and Gd3+ ions. X-ray photoelectric spectroscopy (XPS) measurements were conducted to verify the elemental composition, valency, and cationic distribution. Furthermore, Fourier-Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used in combination with XPS to estimate the force constants, elasticity parameters, and Debye temperature. Vickers microhardness measurements were carried out to investigate the mechanical behavior of the prepared samples and determine Young's modulus. The values of Young's modulus obtained from the microhardness measurements are larger than those obtained from FTIR measurements. However, the results, obtained from both techniques, showed an enhancement with Gd3+ doping.

Automated summary

In this study, nanoparticles of (Mg1/3Ni1/3Co1/3)Fe2-XGdXO4 were synthesized and characterized, with x = 0.00, 0.02, and 0.08 wt%, using the wet co-precipitation method. XRD and TEM confirmed the formation of nano-spinel ferrite. The crystallite size decreased due to Gd3+ substitution-induced microstrain, while the lattice parameter increased. XPS measurements verified the elemental composition, valency, and cationic distribution, while FTIR in combination with XPS estimated the force constants, elasticity parameters, and Debye temperature. Vickers microhardness measurements showed an enhancement in Young's modulus with Gd3+ doping.