Structural, Morphological, and Optomagnetic Properties of La/Cu/Cu-Mn Ferrite Ternary Nanocomposites

CuFe2O4 (CF), Cu0.5Mn0.5Fe2O4 (CMF), and Cu0.5Mn0.5Fe1.5La0.5O4 (LCMF) ferrite nanocomposites were synthesized by simple sonochemical reaction. The structural, optical, and magnetic properties of the prepared CF, CMF, and LCMF ferrite nanocomposites were analyzed through x-ray diffraction pattern, Fourier transform infrared spectra, ultraviolet spectra, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometer loop. The crystal size of the LCMF ferrite ternary nanocomposite was less than that of the CF and CMF ferrite nanocomposites. XPS revealed the oxidation state (Cu 2p, Mn 2p, La 3d, Fe 2p, and O 1s) and the binding energy of the element present in the prepared CF, CMF, and LCMF ferrite ternary nanocomposites. The scanning electron microscopy images showed spherical morphology. The optical bandgap energy of LCMF was 5.33 eV higher than that of the CF (1.66 eV) and CMF (2.10 eV) ferrite nanocomposites. The coercivity of the prepared ferrite nanocomposites confirmed soft magnetic nature of the CF, CMF, and LCMF ferrite nanocomposites. By doping a small amount of La3+ ions in CMF nanoferrite, it was found that the doped LCMF ferrite ternary nanocomposite has a high permeability, which enhances the useful magnetic properties of LCMF ferrite nanocomposite for electronic devices. The optical bandgap and high permeability of the LCMF ferrite ternary nanocomposite are more suitable for microwave absorption application.