Comprehensive study of structural, physical, and spectroscopic properties of Co-Ni substituted BaMg2Fe16O27 W-type hexaferrites

Cobalt and nickel substituted BaMg2Fe16O27 W-type hexaferrite nanoparticles were synthesized via citric acid-assisted sol-gel auto-combustion technique. XRD results revealed the single-phase W-type hexagonal structure of these nanomaterials. The decrease in lattice parameters and unit cell volume is accredited to smaller ionic radii of substituted ions as compared to that of host ions. The variations in Raman spectra as a function of substitution content (x, y) are ascribed to the induction of strain in the unit cell. The PL spectra of synthesized samples revealed all emissions invisible (red) regions with PL intensity near 661 nm. Furthermore, the semiconducting nature of synthesized materials has been assessed based on bandgap energy E-g = 1.875 eV. FTIR investigations endorsed the successful settlement of substituents at tetrahedral and octahedral sites. SEM images exhibit non-homogenous hexagonal platelet-shaped particles. The research outcomes suggest the promising applications of synthesized compounds with suitable cationic substitution for microwave devices.