enhancing the efficacy of magnetic electrochemical and gas sensing properties of nickel ferrite nanoparticles through transition metal dopants and annealing

Abstract

The present investigation in this thesis has been carried out by the author newlineduring the year 2020- 2023 in the Department of Physics, Annamalai University, newlineAnnamalai Nagar. newlineFerrite is the term used for materials that show a combined or collective newlinemanifestation of both electrical as well as magnetic behaviours. newlineFerrite nanoparticles play a crucial role as magnetic materials, also possess newlinedistinct dielectric, electrical and optical properties when incorporate with transitions newlineelements. This unique characteristic has propelled them into a focal point of scientific newlineresearch and commercial exploration. Moreover, ferrites have garnered notable newlineattention in the field of communications, energy storage device, medicine and newlinemicrowave applications. newlineAmong the range of ferrite materials, nickel ferrite nanoparticles (NiFe2O4) newlineare one of the inverse spinel ferrites with general formula of [Fe3+]A [Ni2+ Fe3+]B O4 newline-. newlineNiFe2O4 exhibit a high degree of sensitivity to both synthesize and annealing newlineconditions. The materials property can easily be tuned with proper dopants. The above newlinesaid factors play a crucial role in influencing the dielectric, magnetic, electrochemical newlineand gas sensing properties by facilitating the redistribution of cations between the newlinetetrahedral and octahedral sites. newlineIn the current research work, nickel ferrite nanoparticles are synthesized using newlinea facile hydrothermal route, and its properties are fine tuned/ by enhancing with newlinevarious dopants (Co, Cu and Zn). Comprehensive analysis, characterization and newlinemeasurement have been diligently conducted, with the primary aim of ensuring the newlinesocial impact and practical implications of the research outcomes. newline