

Exploring the Impact of CeO2 Doping on the Structure and Magnetism of Hematite Nanoparticles
In this study, Fe2O3 nanoparticles were doped with varying concentrations of cerium oxide (CeO2) (5%, 10%, and 20%) were synthesized by using a microwave treated co-precipitation method and thereafter, calcined at 600o C temperature for 2hrs. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that all calcined samples exhibited hexagonal crystalline structures, with a decrease in grain size from 60.547nm to 47.060 nm with increasing CeO2 concentration. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy confirmed characteristic peaks of hydroxyl group at 3541 cm-1 and 1624 cm-1, while sharp peaks of 471 cm-1 were identified as the O-Ce-O stretching vibrational band. The observed FTIR patterns were consistent with the XRD results supporting the influence of differing ionic radii between Ce4+ and Fe3+ ions. The Magnetic properties were examined through by using a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and revealed that saturation magnetization peaked at 5% CeO2 dopant concentration (Ms = 33.2×10-2 emu/g), while coercivity reached its maximum at 10% concentration (Hc = 548.26 Oe). Conversely, remnant magnetization (Mr) decreased (4.3×10-2, 3.1×10-2, and 0.9×10-2 emu/g) with increasing cerium oxide concentration (5%, 10%, and 20%).
Keywords
Ceria-doped Fe2O3 nanoparticles; XRD; FTIR; Structural and Magnetic properties
User
Font Size
Information