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Microwave plasma treatment of NiCuZn ferrite nanoparticles: a novel approach of improving opto-physical and magnetic properties

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Abstract

Microwave plasma treatment of ferrite nanoparticles is a least reported method of improving the opto-physical, energy storage and magnetic properties. In this study, a sol–gel method, coupled with auto-ignition route, was adopted for the synthesis of Ni0.25Cu0.25Zn0.50 ferrite nanoparticles. Some of the samples were given low-pressure microwave plasma treatment and the corresponding opto-physical and magnetic properties were compared with the pristine NiCuZn ferrite samples. The pristine and plasma-treated samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscope, photoluminescence spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and vibrating sample magnetometer. Phase analysis revealed a single-phase face centered (fcc) cubic spinel structure of the prepared ferrite samples. The microwave plasma treatment enhances the average crystallite size of the ferrite samples. Surface study reflects agglomeration of the particles in the pristine samples and high porosity in the plasma-treated samples. NiCuZn ferrite possessed photoluminescence characteristics and exhibited a red emission band in the range of 646–647 nm for both pristine and plasma-treated samples. The amplitude of photoluminescence peaks increased on plasma treatment of the ferrite samples, while the energy bandgap remained unchanged. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed the presence of NO3, H–O–H, C–H, and C–O functional groups on the ferrite structure. The saturation magnetization (Ms) increased from 32.16 to 53.36 emu/g after plasma treatment of NiCuZn ferrite samples.

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The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

Taif University Researchers Supporting Project Number (TURSP-2020/165), Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia

Funding

Authors are thankful to the Taif University (Grant no. TURSP-2020/165; Mohamed M. Makhlouf) for supporting this work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, 38040, Pakistan

    Muhammad Adnan Munir, Muhammad Yasin Naz & Shazia Shukrullah

  2. Centre of Excellence in Solid State Physics, University of the Punjab, Lahore, 54590, Pakistan

    Muhammad Tamoor Ansar

  3. Department of Physics, Riphah International University, Faisalabad Campus, Faisalabad, Pakistan

    Ghulam Abbas

  4. Department of Sciences and Technology, Ranyah University College, Taif University, Taif, 21944, Saudi Arabia

    Mohamed M. Makhlouf

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  1. Muhammad Adnan Munir
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Munir, M.A., Naz, M.Y., Shukrullah, S. et al. Microwave plasma treatment of NiCuZn ferrite nanoparticles: a novel approach of improving opto-physical and magnetic properties. Appl. Phys. A 128, 345 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-022-05480-6

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