Influence of Mo dopant on the structural, vibrational, dielectric, and magnetic properties of combustion synthesized ZnFe2O4 nanostructures for optoelectronic and spintronic applications

Abstract

This report investigates the dielectric and magnetic behavior of Molybdenum (Mo)-incorporated ZnFe₂O₄ prepared via combustion route with different dopant concentrations (0.0, 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1.0 wt%). XRD patterns reveal the cubic spinel structures with a slight increase in lattice constant while replacing Mo at Fe sites. Mo doped induced lattice constant increase from 8.444 to 8.469 Å coupled with a significant increase in density. Raman spectroscopy reveals a decrement in the peak broadening of the A_1g mode at higher Mo concentrations, indicating longer phonon lifetimes. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and EDX analysis confirm the agglomerated pseudo-spherical structures with uniform elemental distribution over the surface. Further, the dielectric constant values exhibit a slightly decreasing trend with increasing frequency, and the mechanisms were discussed based on the intrinsic polarization due to the charge imbalance between Fe³⁺ and Fe²⁺ states. Further, the magnetic measurements confirm the soft magnetic behavior with saturation magnetization ranging from 13.72 to 14.61 emu/g and coercivity between 07 (Oe) to 44 (Oe). The overall findings demonstrate that Mo doping in ZnFe₂O₄ significantly modifies the dielectric and magnetic properties, making it a promising material for various technological applications.