Abstract
In the current investigation, the fabrication of chromium (Cr) and zinc (Zn) doped barium hexaferrite nanoparticles (Ba(1-x)ZnxFe(12-y)Cr(Upsilon)O(19 ) NPs) using facile microemulsion route was undertaken. The impact of Cr and Zn doping on photocatalytic, structural, ferroelectric and dielectric properties was investigated. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed the formation of hexagonal ferrite structure of Ba(1-x)ZnxFe(12-y)Cr(Upsilon)O(19 ) NPs. The size of the NPs was in the range of 17-26 nm with tendency to form aggregates. The band gap of barium hexaferrite was increased with doping contents due to difference in ionic radii of dopants. The polarization-electric (P-E) field loops confirmed the ferroelectric behavior of synthesized Ba(1-x)ZnxFe(12-y)Cr(Upsilon)O(19 ) The photocatalytic activity (PCA) of Ba(1-x)ZnxFe(12-y)Cr(Upsilon)O(19 ) NPs was evaluated for Rhodamine B (RhB) dye removal under solar light irradiation and up to 81.8% dye degradation was observed within 90 min of irradiation. Results revealed that catalytic, ferroelectric and dielectric properties of barium hexaferrite can be enhanced with Cr and Zn doping for different applications.