Unveiling the thermal and structural characteristics of synthesized CoFe2-XNdXO4:SiO2 nanocomposites

Abstract

Rare earth-doped ferrites stems from their unique and tuneable properties, leading to a wide range of potential applications. Synthesis of CoFe_2-xNd_xO₄:SiO₂ nanocomposites at various concentrations of Nd³⁺ ions doping is carried out by sol-gel method and structural as well as thermal parameters have been evaluated by using XRD, FTIR, TEM, and TGA- DTG analysis techniques. Enhancement in XRD peak intensity may be due to an increase in crystallite size which could be attributed to the larger ionic radius of Nd³⁺ (0.995 ​Å) replacing Fe³⁺ ions (0.67 ​Å). TEM results are also reported in good agreement for particle size 26 ​nm, 35 ​nm, 39 ​nm, and 47 ​nm at Nd³⁺ ions concentrations 0.00, 0.050, 0.075, and 0.1 respectively, supporting the XRD results. TGA- DTG curve indicates a maximum weight loss for all the samples in the temperature range of 20 ​°C–350 ​°C due to maximum water evaporation and decomposition of precursors. At high temperatures, spherical particles with aggregation can be viewed from the TEM images. These explored physicochemical and morphological parameters may be insightful to optimise novel functionalities for advance high-tech fields.