Microstructural study with enhanced dielectric and magnetic properties of Cu1-xCdxFe2O4 nanoparticles prepared at low-temperature green-synthesized technique

Abstract

The green elaboration tool has taken much consideration due to its consistent and economical ways of producing pure and regular dispersed NPs. The preparation tool is a simple, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective method that does not use toxic chemicals. Therefore, the biological mechanisms themselves act as a reducing agent that prevents, on the surface of nanoparticles, the adsorption of chemical agents. Therefore, we focus in this work on the bio-synthesizes and the characterization (crystallographic, magnetic, transport, and dielectric study) of Cu_1-xCd_xFe₂O₄(x = 0.0, 0.3 and x = 0.5) spinel ferrites. X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and photoelectron spectroscopy (XRD and XPS) have been employed to study crystallographic characteristics and chemical bond formation. Surface parameters analysis was conducted using BET isotherms and validated the decreases in specific surface area in the substitution sample. The electrical investigation proves the semiconductor behavior, and the thermal activation are dominated by the small polaron hopping mechanism in the nano-ferrites Cu_1-xCd_xFe₂O₄. In addition, the prepared NPS exhibits low dielectric losses. Using the ZFC-FC and M(H) measurement techniques, important modifications in the magnetic behaviors have been detected in the elaborated nanoparticles. Accordingly, the substitution of Cu_1-xCd_xFe₂O₄ leads to transitions from ferromagnetic to superparamagnetic behaviors, the increase of the magnetic saturation, and decreased magnetic anisotropy has been shown in Cu_0·7Cd_0·3Fe₂O₄ spinel structure.