Abstract
Pure and cobalt-substituted zinc ferrites were successfully synthesized employing a simple co-precipitation route. Co (x) Zn0.04-x Fe2O4 (x = 0, 0.01, 0.02) physical properties have been investigated employing comprehensive characterization studies. XRD results confirmed the cobalt substitution in zinc-ferrite magnetic ceramics. SEM analysis revealed non-uniform cluster formation with large agglomeration and more number of spherical grain nanoparticles in the range of 30-150 nm. Raman phonon vibration modes [F-2g(1) + F-2g(2) + A(1g)] revealed cubic zinc-ferrite phase and cobalt substitution. Product-predominant blue-green emission was observed in PL studies. IR results confirmed ferrite tetrahedral (similar to 540-565cm(-1)) and octahedral sites' (similar to 428 cm(-1)) metal oxygen vibrations. Electrochemical studies confirmed an appreciable increase in specific capacitance of Co0.02Zn0.02Fe2O4 around 377 F/g at 10 mV/s scan rate. Cobalt substitution in zinc spinel ferrite structure revealed dominant influence on structural, optical, and electrochemical properties of the obtained product.