Influence of Neodymium and gamma rays irradiation on structural electrical and magnetic properties of Co-Zn nanoferrites

Nanostructured Co1-xZnxNdyFe2-yO4 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1.0; y = 0.0 and 0.1) ferrites were synthesized through combustion route. All the compositions were irradiated with 60Co gamma with total exposure dose 310 kGy at the dose rate 6.1kGy/h. The virgin and irradiated nanoparticles were characterized by the techniques; XRD, FTIR, SEM and EDAX. The DC electrical conductivity was measured in temperature range 300-800K. Magnetic parameters were measured with vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) at 300K. Characterization studies reveal the structure, size, morphology and composition of the nanoferrites. The x-ray diffraction analysis revealed the cubic spinel ferrite structure. The characteristic feature of nanoferrites was confirmed by two prominent absorption bands ν1 and ν2 in the range 566-607 cm−1 and 401-498cm−1. The SEM micrographs evidenced almost spherical shaped agglomerated grainy structure of nanoferries. DC conductivity studies revealed that Curie temperature (TC) decreased with increasing Zn2+ ion and Nd3+ ion substitution due to the weakening of A-B interaction. The observed enhancement of DC conductivity and magnetic parameters on γ-irradiation attributed to the rearrangement of cations at A-site and B-site in the lattice.