Structural, dielectric and magnetic properties of Nd-doped Co2Z-type hexaferrites

Z-type hexaferrites doped with Nd3+, Ba3−xNdxCo2Fe24O41 (x = 0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, and 0.25), were prepared by solid-state reaction. The effect of the Nd3+ ions substitution for Ba2+ ions on the microstructure and electromagnetic properties of the samples was investigated. The results reveal that an important modification of microstructure, complex permeability, complex permittivity, and static magnetic properties can be obtained by introducing a relatively small amount of Nd3+ instead of Ba2+. SEM image shows that the grains of the ferrites doped with Nd3+ were smaller, more perfect and homogeneous than that of the pure ferrite. The real part (ɛ′) of complex permittivity and imaginary part (ɛ″) increase at first, and then decrease with increasing Nd content. At low frequency, the imaginary part μ″ of complex permeability decreases with Nd content and then increases when frequency is above 7.0 GHz. The magnetization (Ms) and the coercivity (Hc) are 79.38 emu g−1 and 36.94 Oe for Ba2.75Nd0.25Co2Fe24O41. The data of magnetism show that the ferrite doped with Nd3+ ions is a better soft magnetic material due to the higher magnetization and lower coercivity.

Graphical abstractThe results obtained reveal that, by introducing a relatively small amount of Nd3+ instead of Ba2+, an important modification of both structure and electromagnetic properties of Ba3−xNdxCo2Fe24O41 can be obtained.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideResearch highlights▶ A Nd-doped Co2Z-type hexaferrites Ba3−xNdxCo2Fe24O41 was firstly reported. ▶The structural, dielectric and magnetic properties of Nd-doped Co2Z-type hexaferrites were successfully discussed. ▶ The results obtained reveal that, by introducing a relatively small amount of Nd3+ instead of Ba2+, an important modification of both structure and electromagnetic properties of Ba3−xNdxCo2Fe24O41 can be obtained. ▶ The novel Nd-doped Z-type ferrites exhibit excellent static magnetic properties such as high saturation magnetization up to 79.3 emu g−1 and low coercivity under 40 Oe.