Effect of Tb3+ substitution on structural, optical and magnetic properties of NiCuZnFe2O4 prepared by sol-gel route

In this study, rare earth element terbium doped Ni0.4Cu0.2Zn0.4TbxFe2-xO4 (where X = 0.0 to 0.1 in steps of 0.025) were synthesiesed by citric acid as catalyst via auto-combustion route. The structural, morphological, spectral and magnetic properties are explored and studied in detail. The ferrite samples were characterized by energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX), X-ray diffraction of XRD, field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transformed Infrared spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectroscopy (UV), Raman spectroscopy and vibrating sample magnetometer techniques. The EDAX analysis authenticates the formation of required stoichiometric ferrite samples. The formation of spinel cubic structure was validated by XRD technique. The lattice constant of all the ferrite was found to be declined with upsurge in Tb3+ content. The morphological investigations show that grain size of the ferrites remains in the extent 11-24 nm. The existence of two intrinsic IR absorption band of spinel lattice at upsilon(1) (561-567) cm(-1) and upsilon(2) (534-542) cm(-1) for NiCuZn ferrite system approves the presence of tetrahedral-A and octahedral-B sites over which the cations are distributed in spinel lattice. The UV-Vis measurements suggest that the as prepared and tempered samples at 900 degrees C of Ni0.4Cu0.2Zn0.4TbxFe2-xO4 (where X = 0.0 to 0.1 in steps of 0.025) ferrite possess diverse optical properties depending upon the composition of the samples. The Raman fingerprint affirms the spinel structure and variation in the cation distribution in synthesized nanomaterials. The frequency dependent dielectric constant of NiCuZn ferrites revealed the dielectric dispersion behavior in agreement with Maxwell-Wagner model. It is seen that saturation magnetization and magnetic moment of NiCuZn ferrites alters with the Tb3+ content and sintering temperature. The doping of rare earth element Tb3+ in NiCuZn ferrites significantly amends the structural and electromagnetic properties of the host material. Thus, Tb doped NiCuZn ferrites have major impact on structural, optical and magnetic properties, and it is good for multilayer chip inductor component application.