Cobalt, nickel and zinc spinel ferrites with high transmittance and UV-blocking for advanced optical applications

This study successfully synthesized and characterized CoFe₂O₄, NiFe₂O₄, and ZnFe₂O₄ ferrite nanoparticles. The results showed that CoFe₂O₄ and NiFe₂O₄ exhibited ferrimagnetic behavior, while ZnFe₂O₄ demonstrated antiferromagnetic properties. These magnetic characteristics influence the material's response to electromagnetic radiation, such as visible and infrared light. Optical studies revealed that CoFe₂O₄ had the highest radiation absorption, while ZnFe₂O₄ showed superior reflection and transmission. The ferrites' band gap energies, ranging from 3.3 to 3.6 eV, played a key role in their optical properties, with higher energy absorption and lower energy reflection. The refractive index varied with photon energy, reaching its peak at lower energy levels due to oxygen vacancies. Additionally, the optical conductivity increased with higher photon energy, peaking at 4.3 eV. These findings suggest promising applications in light transmission and sensing, with ferrites offering versatile optical properties that can be tailored for various uses.