Investigation of the crystal/magnetic structure, magnetic and optical properties of SrYxNbxFe12-2xO19 (x ≤ 0.05) hexaferrites

Series of Sr hexaferrites (HFs) co-substituted with Nb3+ and Y3+ ions (SrYxNbxFe12-2xO19 (x <= 0.05) were prepared via sol-gel combustion method. In addition to their optical, low temperature, magnetic properties and hyperfine interactions were investigated in detail. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns were considered proving both the formation and pureness of products. Mossbauer analysis indicated that the hyperfine field on iron nuclei at all sites decrease with substitution of Y3+-Nb3+ ions into Sr-hexaferrite as a result of changing the magnetic Fe3+ (5 mu(B)) ions by nonmagnetic Y3+ and Nb3+ ions. This leads to decreasing of the magnetic super exchange interaction between the ions. Measurements of AC susceptibility and ZFC-FC magnetizations implemented in a range from room temperature (RT) down to around 2 K. The analysis of M-FC-M-ZFC data proves the ferrimagnetic performance of different prepared HFs in the whole range of 2-325 K and a super-spin glass-like behavior was identified at minimal temperatures. The investigation of AC susceptibility revealed a weakening in the magnetic exchange interactions with the rise in the Nb3+ and Y3+ ions ratios.