Influence of La³⁺ on structural, magnetic, dielectric, electrical and modulus spectroscopic characteristics of single phase CoFe_2−xLa_xO₄ nanoparticles

In this work, we have studied the influence of La³⁺ substitution on structural, magnetic, dielectric, electrical and modulus spectroscopic characteristics of cobalt ferrite nanoparticles synthesized by starch-assisted sol–gel combustion method. The powder X-ray diffraction analysis confirms the formation of single-phase CoFe_2−xLa_xO₄ (x = 0.00, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20) spinel ferrite nanoparticles. Raman spectroscopy study also reveals the formation of single phase spinel ferrite crystal structure. The morphological feature of synthesized ferrite nanoparticle was observed by scanning electron microscopy that demonstrate formation of spherical nanoparticles with grain size 10–50 nm. The presence of constituent’s, i.e., Co, Fe and La were authenticated by energy dispersive X-ray analysis. The magnetic parameters are measured by employing vibrating sample magnetometer. The saturation magnetization decreases with La³⁺ substitution, whereas coercivity shows anomalous behaviour. Cation redistribution in spinel ferrite nanoparticles are confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The variation of dielectric constant (ϵ′, ϵʺ), loss tangent (tanδ), ac conductivity (σ), electric modulus (M′, Mʺ) and impedance (Z′, Zʺ) as a function of La³⁺ ion concentration and frequency has been investigated. The dielectric constant and ac conductivity increases with increase of La³⁺ substitution, whereas dielectric loss tangent exhibits anomalous behaviour. The modulus spectra reveal two semicircles associated with grain and grain boundary effects. The cole–cole plots in modulus formalism show that the electrical characteristics contribute from both the grains and grain boundaries. Modulus spectra suggest that the distribution of relaxation times and conduction mechanism are influenced by La³⁺ ion substitution in cobalt ferrite nanoparticles.