Properties, applications, and synthesis of first transition series substituted cobalt ferrite: A mini review

Abstract

Spinel, orthoferrite, garnet, and hexagonal are the various forms of ferrites. They exhibit different properties due to their different molecular structures. Cobalt ferrite (CF) is a spinel ferrite. They show magnetic, dielectric, optical, catalytical, and antibacterial properties. The CF nanoparticles (NPs) are extensively used in various field e.g., electronics and telecommunication, environmental sciences, biomedical applications, and catalysis, to name but a few. These materials can be doped to modify their properties so that they can be used for desired applications. Several methods have been developed for the doping of these materials e.g., sol-gel, co-precipitation, hydrothermal heating, microwave hydrothermal heating, auto-combustion, ball milling, and microemulsion. Sol-gel method is widely used for this purpose as this does not require complex laboratory infrastructure and hence cost effective. Particles of narrow size distribution can also be synthesised under ambient or at lower temperatures. Here, the doping of CF-NPs with first transition series has been reviewed. The comparable ionic sizes of cobalt and iron, and ions of first transition series, help the process of doping. Doping of CF-NPs with first transition series changes their properties in several ways e.g., the size of crystals and Curie temperature can be altered by doping with scandium, titanium, and chromium. Values of coercivity and saturation magnetization can also be modified by doping this material with zinc, nickel, and copper. Anisotropy also changes when CF-NPs are doped with the above said elements. CF-NPs with altered properties have significant applications e.g., zinc-doped can be used for stress sensor applications.