Analysis of structural and Magnetic properties of Cobalt Ferrite Nanoparticles prepared by Citrate Precursor method doped with 1% Cu, Ni and Zn

In the present study, cobalt ferrite has been doped with Ni, Zn and Cu in order to improve the electrical and magnetic properties maintaining a spinel structure and moderate saturation magnetization [1]. Samples of pure cobalt ferrite and cobalt ferrite doped with 1% Ni, Cu and Zn were prepared with citrate precursor route. The samples were annealed at high temperatures 450°C and 650°C to avoid any chances of possible superparamagnetism. These samples were analyzed by XRD and VSM. Analysis of purity of phases was also done to find out the possible impurities. The XRD pattern gave the value of lattice parameter which was analyzed to see the effect to ionic size on size of crystallites. With the help of Scherrer's formula, the sizes of nanoparticles were found and effect of temperature was studied. VSM Studies revealed the saturation magnetization, Coercivity and Retentivity of the samples and effect of temperature and dopant ion on these properties were studied. It is expected that present work will make it easier to quickly synthesize cobalt ferrite nanoparticles by a low cost route and analysis of its properties by taking into consideration the nature of dopant atoms, and annealing temperature.