Structural and DC electrical resistivity, magnetic properties of Co0.5M0.5Fe2O4 (M= Ni, Zn, and Mg) ferrite nanoparticles

Highlights: • Cobalt ferrite partially substituted by divalent cations of Co0.5M0.5Fe2O4 (M = Ni, Zn and Mg) ferrites. • Structural analysis are carried out using powder X-ray diffraction to identify pure ferrite phases. • The magnetic properties are shown to increase of Ni doped material. - Abstract: Inverse spinel structured nanoparticles of cobalt ferrite partially substituted by divalent cations of Ni, Zn, and Mg have been synthesized through sol-gel auto combustion route. Structural parameters are studied by powder X-ray diffraction at the diffraction angle range of 10–80°; and FT-IR spectroscopy in the wavenumber range of 1600–400 cm⁻¹. Lattice parameters were calculated from the (hkl) values of the diffraction planes and interplanar spacing and found to be in the range of 8.3659–8.4197 Å. The surface morphology and crystalline nature are studied using scanning electron microscopy and also using HRTEM. The magnetic properties are analyzed through vibrating sample magnetometer. High saturation magnetization of 90.12 emu/g has been achieved from Co-Zn sample whereas high coercive force of 883.45 Oe is achieved in Co-Ni sample. A two-probe DC resistivity was measured in temperature ranges of 300–450 K.