Phase transition, morphology and shielding inspection of copper ferrite doped zirconium ceramics

Zirconium-doped copper ferrite nanoparticles were synthesized by a wet chemical synthesis process with the composition CuFe_2-xZr_xO₄ where x = 0.00, 0.015, 0.03, and 0.05 wt. %. The microstructure and phases presented in the nanopowder were investigated by x-ray diffraction analysis, in which a single tetragonal spinel phase was revealed for samples without Zr content. In contrast, dual tetragonal phases were revealed at different Zr concentrations. Also, the powder’s particle size was calculated at 5, 6, and 9.2 nm at X = 0.00, 0.03, and 0.05 wt. % using X-ray patterns and Williamson-Hall size analysis. The prepared samples were calcinated above 800 °C to obtain ceramic samples. Ferrite ceramic’s surface morphology was inspected using a scanning electron microscope; elemental mapping was performed using energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis. Additionally, the prepared ceramic samples’ γ-ray shielding ability was examined via Monte Carlo simulation over the 0.0332–2.506 MeV energy range. Cu and Fe’s partial substitution by Zr ions decreased the prepared zirconium-doped copper ferrite ceramic samples’ linear attenuation coefficient by 15.37%, 18.46%, and 18.63% at 0.059 MeV, 0.662 MeV, and 2.506 MeV, respectively, and the radiation protection efficiency from 44.89% to 38.48%, when the Zr concentration raised throughout 0–4.3 wt. %.