Synthesis of M–Nd doped Fe3O4 nanoparticles (M = Co, Ce, Cr, Ni) with tunable magnetic properties

Abstract

Magnetic nanoparticles were prepared by the aqueous co-precipitation method. The magnetic nanoparticles obtained were characterized systematically through the use of an X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and a vibrating  sampling  magnetometer (VSM). The results revealed that the magnetic nanoparticles were spherical shaped with inverse spinel structure. The size of Fe₃O₄ and Nd-Co doped Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles were approximately 15 nm. Magnetic measurement revealed that the nanoparticles were super paramagnetic at room temperature. It was found that the magnetic response of the Fe₃O₄ increased when it was doped with Nd³⁺ and Co²⁺. However, the magnetic response of the Fe₃O₄ decreased when it was doped with Nd³⁺ or Ce³⁺ or Cr³⁺or Ni²⁺.

KEYWORDS: Fe₃O₄, Magnetic nanoparticles, Superparamagnetic, Magnetite, Fe₃O₄ doped

Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2013, 27(1), 49-56.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v27i1.5