Restricted accessResearch articleFirst published online 2025-8
Gadolinium-doped CoFe 2 O 4 semi-crystalline nanoparticles with designed morphology: The effect of synthesis parameters on microstructure and magnetic characteristics
In this study, the CoFe2O4 nanoparticles were synthesised hydrothermally (70–200 °C) with various molar ratios of CoCl2/FeCl3 for desirable nanoparticle shape and properties. The atomic ratios of gadolinium (Gd) were increased to 0.70 to investigate the effect of the Gd dopant. The X-ray diffraction patterns indicated that by increasing the synthesis temperature (70–200 °C), the nanoparticle size decreased from 50.49 nm to 32.45 nm, and the morphology changed from a shapeless and agglomerated state to a spherical shape. The Ms value increased from 17.253 emu/g to 54.438 emu/g with a rise in the synthesis temperature. The effects of the FeCl3/CoCl2 molar ratio showed the highest value of Ms (54.438 emu/g) and the coercivity of 744.56 Oe for a 2/1 molar ratio. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy illustrated several peaks corresponding to Fe3+, Co2+ and O 1. This study aimed to investigate the possibility of utilising CoFe2−xGdxO4 nanoparticles for medical treatment.
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