Co-Doped NdFeO3 Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Optical, and Magnetic Properties Study

Abstract

In this work, single-phase nanostructured NdFe_1-<i>x</i>Co<i>_x</i>O₃ (<i>x</i> = 0, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3) perovskite materials were obtained by annealing stoichiochemistry mixtures of their component hydroxides at 750 °C for 60 min. The partial substitution of Fe by Co in the NdFeO₃ crystal lattice leads to significant changes in the structural characteristics, and as a consequence, also alters both the magnetic and optical properties of the resulting perovskites. The low optical band gap (<i>E</i>_g = 2.06 ÷ 1.46 eV) and high coercivity (<i>H</i>_c = 136.76 ÷ 416.06 Oe) give Co-doped NdFeO₃ nanoparticles a huge advantage for application in both photocatalysis and hard magnetic devices.