Structural and magnetic properties of Co-doped Er₂O₃ nanoparticles

Er_2−xCo_xO₃ (x=0.00, 0.04, 0.10, 0.30, 0.4) solutions were synthesized by the sol–gel technique using erbium 2,4 pentadionate and cobalt acetylacetonate dissolved in methanol and acetyl acetone. The various obtained Co-doped Er₂O₃ nanoparticles were annealed at 900 °C to find a doping effect on the structural and magnetic properties. The crystal structures and morphology of the Co-doped Er₂O₃ nanoparticles were characterized using 2θ–θ X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). ESR spectra of Er_2−xCo_xO₃ nanoparticles were collected at room temperature with a Bruker EMX model X-band spectrometer at a frequency of 9.5 GHz. - Highlights: • Er_2−xCo_xO₃ nanoparticles were prepared by the sol–gel technique. • X-ray diffraction analysis of Er_2−xCo_xO₃ shows single phase (Er₂O₃) for x≤0.1. • Er_2−xCo_xO₃ nanoparticles are agglomerated and partially melted at 900 °C. • The minimum g-factor and maximum line-width W were observed at x=0.1 for Co