Abstract
The physical properties of La3+-doped Cu-Cd ferrites (CCF ferrites) were investigated with an aim to analyze the effect of large-sized La3+ cations on the structure, morphology, magnetization, permeability, and dielectric parameters. Temperature-dependent permeability and permittivity of CCF ferrites are in good agreement with locomotion of grains and grain boundaries. The CCF ferrites are synthesized by a sol-gel method. The Rietveld refinement promoted for the structural confirmation reveals the cubic spinel structure of CCF ferrites. The morphology of all ferrites investigated by surface scanning analysis images indicates the presence of cubical and triangular crystallites. The analysis of magnetic parameters of CCF ferrites measured through a high-field magnetization evidences magnetic transition from paramagnetic to ferrimagnetic phase. The magnetic permeability increases and magnetic loss decreases on enhancing La3+ content from 0.0 to 0.20. When temperature is stepped up from 25 to 150 degrees C, the permeability is improved. The increase in permittivity and decrease in ac conductivity is assigned to increase of grain size and reduction of grain boundaries as explained by Maxwell-Wagner model. The magnetic and electrical performance of CCF ferrites demonstrate their potential use in microwave devices. The CCF ferrites possessing soft magnetic behavior along with low magnetic and dielectric losses are promising nanomaterials for high-frequency applications too.