Investigation of the Influence of RF Plasma on the Properties of Spinel Ferrite Mg1-XCuxFe2O4

Abstract

The current study attempts to enhance the process parameters of radiofrequency plasma technology. Mg_1-xCu _xFe₂O₄ is synthesized making use of the sol-gel technique at various copper concentrations (x = 0, 0.3, 0.7). X-ray diffraction analysis confirms the presence of a face-centered cubic (FCC) architecture in ferrite samples. Particle sizes changed before plasma exposure and after increasing the copper concentration, with a slight decrease in size. After exposure, a decrease in particle size was also evident. FESEM analysis revealed that Mg Fe₂O₄ particles were nearly spherical, whereas CuFe₂O₄ particles were rod-shaped, showing that Cu doping increased morphological anisotropy. Copper ferrite (Mg1-xCuₓFe₂O₄) exhibits a large crystal size. Exposure to plasma alters the crystal’s shape and size significantly, resulting in a heterogeneous and non-spherical structure. VSM tests show that soft ferritic materials exhibit a tiny magnetic residual loop. Prior to plasma treatment, the magnetic saturation magnetization of Mg_1-ₓCuₓFe₂O₄ fluctuated to increases when the ratio (x) increased owing to crystalline magnetism differences. Exposure to plasma increased the Ms (magnetic saturation) value of Mg_1-ₓCuₓFe₂O₄, while the Mr (residual magnetism) value of unexposed samples increased with copper concentration in ferrites. The variance is described in terms of cationic distribution, ferrite tetragonality, and the Néel 2-sub-lattice concept (The Néel 2-sublattice idea depicts antiferromagnetic by dividing a magnetic material’s atomic spins into 2 interpenetrating sublattices, each with its own magnetic moment. These sub lattices are organised in such a way that the magnetic moments on each sublattice align in opposing directions, resulting in zero net magnetization).

HIGHLIGHTS

• Making nanocrystalline Mg_1-XCuxFe₂O₄ ferrite using the sol-gel method.
• Examined are the effects of the plasma RF and altering the ratio x on the characteristics and structure.
• In the sample synthesised following plasma exposure, the maximum saturation magnetisation is achieved.
• The infrared spectra of both materials display 2 noticeable absorption bands, 56.31 and 42.34 cm⁻¹, respectively.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT