Investigations of Yttrium-Doped Cobalt–zinc Ferrite As Potential Material for Transducer Application

A wide range of applications of nano cobalt ferrite as a magnetic ceramic in material and biological science and technology suggests a need to optimize its structural and magnetic features. Chemical composition and the size of cobalt ferrite particles with its substituent ions are the determining factors in exploring its properties. For this purpose, yttrium-doped cobalt–zinc nano sized ferrite with the chemical formula Co0.8Fe2-xZn0.2YxO4 and with x ranging from 0.00 to 0.03 in step of 0.01 were synthesized by the combustion method and then analyzed to know their structural and magnetic parameters. The spinel phase formation was confirmed by using x-ray diffractometry. The samples contained 15-nm sized particles as confirmed from scanning electron micrographs. Hysteresis shows decline in magnetic parameters with increase in rare earth doping and is attributed to the 3d-4f orbital coupling and their magnetic interactions. Magnetostriction measurements were measured using strain gauge sensor. As against our expectation, the yttrium substitution decreased the magnetostriction values. However, the derivative of strain with respect to magnetic field showed a rise with yttrium doping. This suggests an application in transducers.