Effect of fractional substitution of Sb sup(3+) ions on structural, magnetic and electrical properties of cobalt ferrite

Abstract

The present work suggests the preparation of a series of Sb-substituted cobalt ferrite by the sol-gel auto-combustion method. The phase purity of the samples was evaluated by X-ray diffraction, Raman analysis, and infrared spectroscopy. Raman and infrared spectra exhibited the characteristic absorption bands corresponding to M-O stretching vibrations. The precise chemical composition was verified using the Inductively coupled plasma - atomic emission spectroscopy technique. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies validated the chemical state of present species of the metal ions. The morphology of the samples and their particle sizes were estimated by Scanning electron microscopy and Transmission electron microscopy analysis, respectively. The saturation magnetization decreased with Sb-substitution both at 300 K and 50 K and showed a comparatively higher value at 50 K. The DC electrical resistivity studies showed the semiconducting behavior of the materials and an increasing trend observed with Sb sup(3+) ions content. The increase in dielectric constant with increasing Sb sup(3+) ions concentration and the temperature was observed.