FTIR and VSM properties of samarium-doped nickel ferrite

Nickel Ferrite (NiFe2O4) doped with Samarium (Sm) (0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5 mol.%) was prepared by the conventional solid-state reaction. The crystal structure, surface morphology, infrared spectrum of absorption, and magnetic properties of samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). XRD patterns were indexed with inverse spinel cubic phase with the space group of Fd-3m of nickel ferrite. The average grain size was about 5-10 mu m. FTIR spectral study on the NiFe2O4 ferrite phase was recorded between 350 cm(-1) and 4000 cm(-1). Two fundamental absorption bands of the ferrites were appeared at 450 cm(-1) and 1000 cm(-1) characteristic of metal vibrations. VSM measurements show that the NiFe2O4 doped with Sm 0.3% has the highest value of saturation magnetization. It is also easily demagnetized due to the low value of coercivity field it has. Both NiFe2O4 doped with Sm 0.2 mol.% and 0.4 mol.% materials have same values of coercivity field. However, NiFe2O4 doped with Sm 0.4 mol.% material has the comparatively high value of saturation magnetization than NiFe2O4 doped with Sm 0.2%, also this material was hardly demagnetized, and has highest coercivity field.