Enhancing the Magnetization, Dielectric Loss and Photocatalytic Activity of Co-cu Ferrite Nanoparticles Via the Substitution of Rare Earth Ions

Abstract This study reports the impact of lanthanum (La) substituted Co–Cu ferrite nanoparticles on the rhodamine (RhB) dye disposal. Moreover, a complete investigation for the structural, magnetic and optical properties for Co0.5Cu0.5LaxFe2-xO4 (CCL) nanoferrites was executed. These nanocrystals were synthesized via a combustion approach with a peculiar lattice parameter behavior; which discussed through three hypotheses. The scanning transmission electron microscope - energy dispersive X-ray analysis (STEM-EDX) micrographs of some selective samples confirm the nanocrystalline nature with presence of all constituents’ chemical elements CCL nanoferrites. The saturation magnetization of CCL nanoferrites was tuned with La3+ ions substitution. Contrary to the expected results, anisotropy constant introduced a decrement behavior with La/Fe substitution process. The microwave frequency (ωM) values for all CCL nanoparticles are in the range 11.87–9.46 GHz. The band gap has a peculiar behavior; a red shift and followed by a blue one. Through photodegradation testing, we explicate the RhB degradation mechanisms over our CCL nanoferrites. The nanoferrite Co0.5Cu0.5La0.15Fe1.85O4 has a moderate saturation magnetization, highest coercivity, and lowest loss, which is a suitable candidate for data recording applications, furthermore can be utilized as a photocatalyst for RhB effluents removal with degradation efficiency 94.50% at 180 min solar radiation.