Influence of Cd2+ ions on the structural, electrical, optical and magnetic properties of Co–Zn nanoferrites prepared by sol gel auto combustion method

• Cd-doped Co–Zn ferrites synthesized using sol–gel auto combustion method.
• Ms was found to be maximum for the compositional level of Cd having x = 0.4.
• Cd2+ ions substitution leads to the spin canting phenomenon in ferrites.
• The photo-catalytic degradation enhanced as cadmium ion increased from 0.0 to 1.0.

Cadmium substituted Co–Zn nanoferrites, Co0.5Zn0.5CdxFe2−xO4 (x = 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0) were synthesized using the sol–gel auto-combustion method. The powder X-ray diffraction patterns of all the ferrite samples confirmed the formation of single-phase cubic spinel structures having Fd-3m space group. The lattice parameter, ‘a’ increased with increasing Cd2+ ion doping. The d.c resistivity of all the ferrite compositions annealed at 1000 °C decreased as the temperature increased, showing their semiconductor nature. However, decrease in resistivity was observed with increasing cadmium concentration. The drift mobility also increased with increasing temperature as well as cadmium concentration because of the enhanced mobility of charge carriers due to thermal activation. The saturation magnetization (Ms), was found to be maximum for the compositional level of Cd having x = 0.4, beyond which it decreased due to the spin canting phenomenon. The photo-catalytic degradation was enhanced as the concentration of cadmium ion increased from 0.0 to 1.0.