Study of the Magnetic and Transport Properties of Ytterbium Doped Co-Zn Ferrites

Abstract

The present research work is focused Ytterbium (Yb) doped Co-Zn ferrites. The ferrite samples of the composition Co0.25Zn0.75YbxFe2-xO4 [where x = 0.00, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06 and 0.08] were prepared by standard solid state reaction technique. The samples were pre-sintered at 850°C for 2 hours and sintered at 1150°C for 3 hours. The effect of rare earth Yb3+ substitution on the structural, magnetic and electrical properties of the Co-Zn ferrites was studied. The Phase identification and lattice parameter determination were carried out by using X-ray diffraction (XRD). XRD patterns showed that all the samples consisted of the singe phase cubic spinel structure with no extra peak. The lattice parameters gradually increased with increasing Yb content. The bulk density slightly decreased with increasing rare earth Yb3+ ion and the X-ray density increased continuously with increasing x-content. The microstructural analysis was done by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The SEM images showed that the sample exhibit uniform surface morphology with well-defined spherical grains. The average grain size was calculated using Image J software and observed that the average grain size increases with Yb content. The complex permeability, loss tangent and dielectric properties were investigated as a function of frequency range 1 KHz to 120 MHz by using an impedance analyzer. The initial permeability was found in steady state to a higher order of frequency range from 103Hz - 50 MHz. Continuous decrease of the dielectric constant with the increasing frequency and remains almost constant at higher frequency range has been observed. The magnetic properties have been studied by Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM). The saturation magnetization (Ms), coercivity (Hc), remanent magnetization (Mr), Bhor magneton (μB), and anisotropy constant (Ku) have been calculated from the M-H loop at room temperature. The values of Ms were decreased with increasing Yb3+ content. Coercivity was increased with Yb content except for X = 0.08 where it decreased. The values of μB were found to be decreased with increasing Yb3+content. Doping of Yb ion lowers the conduction and subsequently an increase in resistivity is observed. The characteristics of electromagnetism, excellent chemical stability, mechanical hardness, high coercivity, and moderate saturation magnetization have made Yb doped Co-Zn ferrite a good candidate for synthesizing and investigation to contribute in science and technology.