Impact of Gd3+/graphene substitution on the physical properties of magnesium ferrite nanocomposites

Magnesium nano ferrite with composition MgFe2O4, MgGd0.05Fe1.95O4 and MgFe2O4 - 5 wt% GO was synthesized using a citrate auto-combustion method. The crystal structure, morphology, and magnetic properties of the investigated samples were studied. High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM) images show that the substitution of small amounts of Gd3+/GO causes a considerable reduction of the grain size. Studies on the magnetic properties demonstrate that the coercivity of GO-substituted magnesium nano ferrites is enhanced from 72 Oe to 203 Oe and the magnetocrystalline anisotropy constant increases from 1171 to 3425 emu Oe/gm at 300 K. The direct effects of graphene on morphology, crystal structure as well as the magnetic properties reveal that the studied sample are suitable for turbidity color and removal. The magnetic entropy change is estimated from magnetization data using Maxwell relation. The calculated Curie temperature from the Curie-Weiss law and the maximum entropy change are in good agreement with each other. Based on UV diffuse reflectance spectroscopy studies, the optical band gaps are in the range of 1.4-2.15 eV. In addition, the combination of small particle size and good magnetic properties makes the investigated samples act as a potential candidates for superior catalysts, adsorbents, and electromagnetic wave absorbers. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.