NdFe2O4 Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Characterization, and Magnetic Properties

Multi-structured NdFe2O4 magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) were successfully prepared at different reaction times through a convenient solvothermal method. The microstructure and elemental composition of the NPs were characterized using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) technique. An energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) was connected to a scanning electron microscope to determine the weight and atomic percent of the prepared products. Subsequently, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR/TEM) and TEM were performed at 3, 7, 11, and 15 h to elucidate the synthetic mechanism of the rare-earth element Nd doped in Fe3O4. The magnetic activities of the NPs were evaluated using a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). XRD, EDS, and XPS analyses show that Nd was successfully doped into Fe3O4 without breaking its crystal structure. Procedural single-crystal nanosheets and final spherical particles of NdFe2O4 were verified by TEM. The magnetic parameters of the products were further analyzed using the VSM.