Magnetic, structural and cation distribution studies on (x = 0.00, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06 and 0.1) nanoparticles.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Solid State Physics

Background:

• Iron oxide nanoparticles are crucial for magnetic applications.
• Understanding the impact of doping on nanoparticle properties is essential for tailored applications.
• Neodymium (Nd³⁺) doping in iron oxide offers potential for enhanced magnetic performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize Nd³⁺-doped iron oxide nanoparticles.
• To investigate the effect of Nd³⁺ substitution on crystal structure and magnetic properties.
• To determine the optimal Nd³⁺ concentration for enhanced saturation magnetization.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of colloidal suspensions of iron oxide nanoparticles with varying Nd³⁺ content (x = 0.00–0.1).
• Characterization using X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-Vis spectrophotometry, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS).
• Magnetic property analysis including magnetization vs. applied field (M-H loops) and temperature-dependent magnetization (ZFC-FC).

Main Results:

• XRD analysis confirmed structural changes and cation distribution upon Nd³⁺ doping.
• TEM revealed polydisperse particle size and shape; SAXS results were consistent with XRD.
• Saturation magnetization increased with Nd³⁺ content, peaking at x = 0.06 (105.8±0.4 Am²/kg), exceeding bulk values.
• Superparamagnetic (SPM) regime dominated (95–97%) across all samples.

Conclusions:

• Nd³⁺ doping effectively modifies the crystal structure and magnetic properties of iron oxide nanoparticles.
• The observed increase in saturation magnetization suggests Nd³⁺ doping is a viable strategy for enhancing magnetic performance.
• The synthesized nanoparticles exhibit predominantly superparamagnetic behavior, suitable for various magnetic applications.