Huda F. Khalil, Shams A. M. Issa, Sherif G. Elsharkawy, Roya Boudaghi Malidarreh, Sara Gad, Ali Badawi, Fatma Fakhry, Hesham M. H. Zakaly
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
In this investigation, the incorporation of Gd3+ ions into ZMF-spinel ferrites through the citrate sol-gel auto-combustion method significantly modified their structural, magneto-optical, and gamma-ray attenuation properties. Doping levels were varied across samples labeled ZMF0 to ZMF4 with Gd3+ concentrations ranging from 0.000 to 0.100. Advanced characterization techniques such as XRD, SEM, TEM, FT-IR, Raman spectroscopy, and XPS, alongside UV-vis spectroscopy and VSM measurements, highlighted the profound impact of Gd3+ doping. Notably, the incorporation of Gd3+ led to nano-sized cubic structures with an optimized crystallite size of 19.82 nm in the ZMF4 sample, and a notable reduction in the band gap from 3.21 eV to 2.99 eV was observed, indicative of enhanced electronic properties. Magnetic analysis revealed a transition towards superparamagnetic behavior, with a decrease in coercivity and squareness ratios, suggesting applications in areas such as data storage and optical waveguides. Furthermore, the study leveraged FLUKA Monte Carlo simulations to assess the gamma-ray shielding efficiency of these materials. It was found that increasing Gd3+ concentration or sample thickness markedly improved radiation attenuation, highlighting the material’s enhanced shielding capabilities against a range of photon energies. The most significant findings included the optimized sample (ZMF4) displaying superior magneto-optical characteristics and outstanding gamma-ray shielding performance, especially at higher Gd3+ levels. This investigation underlines the critical role of Gd3+ doping in advancing the functional properties of ZMF-spinel ferrites for technological and radiation protection applications, showcasing the potential of tailored nanomaterials in addressing complex challenges in material science.
期刊介绍：
The primary objective of the Journal of Sol-Gel Science and Technology (JSST), the official journal of the International Sol-Gel Society, is to provide an international forum for the dissemination of scientific, technological, and general knowledge about materials processed by chemical nanotechnologies known as the "sol-gel" process. The materials of interest include gels, gel-derived glasses, ceramics in form of nano- and micro-powders, bulk, fibres, thin films and coatings as well as more recent materials such as hybrid organic-inorganic materials and composites. Such materials exhibit a wide range of optical, electronic, magnetic, chemical, environmental, and biomedical properties and functionalities. Methods for producing sol-gel-derived materials and the industrial uses of these materials are also of great interest.
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