Enhancing the magnetization, dielectric loss and photocatalytic activity of Co–Cu ferrite nanoparticles via the substitution of rare earth ions

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.