Ionic liquid assisted nanofabrication of ferromagnetic Co-doped La–Ce ferrites

Abstract

Co(II) doped La–Ce ferrite nanoparticles (NPs) (La_0.9Ce_0.1Fe_1−xCo_xO₃) have been prepared via a hydrothermal route using an ionic liquid surfactant (1-hexadecyl-3-methyl imidazolium chloride, [C₁₆mim][Cl]) as a structure directing agent. The synthesized NPs have been characterized using XRD, Raman and IR spectroscopic techniques for structural elucidation. XRD studies revealed the formation of a mixed orthorhombic and rhombohedral phase with Co doping. The idea of distortion in the crystal structure of the prepared NPs has been formed due to a shift in the XRD peaks along with a change in the interplanar distance due to the incorporation of the dopant. UV-Vis studies indicated modification in the optical properties of La–Ce ferrites upon doping with Co. Scanning (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) have shed light on the size and morphology of the prepared NPs. The doped NPs have been established to be ferromagnetic in nature as revealed by magnetic studies.