Enhancing optical properties of Ba-Ni ferrite through nonmagnetic ion doping for sustainable green technologies and renewable energy applications
Published in Chemistry and Sustainability
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Enhancing optical properties of Ba-Ni ferrite through nonmagnetic ion doping for sustainable green technologies and renewable energy applications
Barium ferrite powder was produced using a standard ceramic procedure, and its structure and optical properties were investigated. X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) showed that the powder had a w-type hexagonal structure. The crystallite size was at approximately 35–36 nm, with bulk density and lattice constants increasing as zinc concentration rose. Conversely, X-ray density and porosity decreased with the increasing zinc concentration. This material has useful optical properties, as well as the standard ferrimagnetic properties of barium ferrite, which make it suitable for use in recording media. Ferrimagnetic behavior, which is useful for recording media, occurs because the powder's crystallites have their unit cell axes aligned. Up to the near-infrared part of the spectrum, the powder was found to have a very low absorption coefficient. Both of these properties—an arrangement that gives rise to ferrimagnetism and a corresponding low optical density—make barium ferrite very attractive for high-density recording and microwave applications. Fourier transform infrared spectra of the samples were recorded in the wavenumber range of 400–4000 cm−1 and supported the X-ray diffraction findings by confirming the idea of the formation of W-type hexagonal ferrite by the presence of two prominent peaks at 454 and 591 cm−1 in the FTIR spectra. Zinc addition was also found to enhance the optical properties of the material. The UV–VIS analysis confirms that the band gap energy of Ba-Ni ferrite was indeed reduced by zinc doping. Values decrease from 3.34 eV to 3.20 eV for direct transitions and from 2.96 eV to 2.79 eV for indirect transitions, using Tauc equation. That means that zinc doping enhances the optical properties of Ba ferrite without affecting the hexagonal structure of Ba-Ni ferrite. Moreover, key parameters of optical performance such as the dielectric constant, the extinction coefficient, the penetration depth, and the refractive index show a dramatic increase with a rise in zinc concentration. These attributes make zinc-doped Ba-Ni ferrite a promising optoelectronic material. The material also showed high absorbance in the wavelengths ranging from 334 to 338 nm, which makes it good for the solar cell applications. Overall, zinc-doped Ba-Ni ferrite is a good candidate for sustainable and renewable energy applications. Our study of the optical properties of barium ferrite up to the near-infrared part of the spectrum demonstrated that the powdered material has a very low absorption coefficient. Indeed, the combination of ferrimagnetism and low optical density makes barium ferrite particularly appealing for use in high-density recording and microwave technology applications.
🎓 **Dr. Sadiq Khoreem**
🌍 Republic of Yemen | Assistant Professor, Al-Razi University
As a dedicated physicist with a Ph.D. in Physics from Sana’a University (2023), I specialize in advanced nanotechnology, material sciences, and their transformative applications in medicine and engineering. My research bridges cutting-edge physics and practical innovations, with over 15 published studies in peer-reviewed journals, focusing on nanoferrite materials, dielectric properties, and their applications in technology and healthcare.
📚 **Highlights**:
- Published groundbreaking work on Zn-doped ferrite nanoparticles in leading journals like *Biointerface Research in Applied Chemistry* and *Heliyon*.
- Contributed to international conferences in Canada, India, Korea, and beyond.
- Authored academic resources, including the forthcoming book *Nanotechnology and Its Application in Medicine* (Springer, 2024).
- Skilled educator teaching courses like Medical and Optical Physics, mentoring students for academic and practical excellence.
🌟 **Leadership**:
- Editor for the *International Journal of Natural Sciences and Nanotechnology*.
- Active member of scientific communities, including the Arab Physicists Association and the International Association for Scientific Researchers.
I am passionate about advancing science through collaborative research and education, driving innovation in nanotechnology, and inspiring the next generation of scientists.
📩 Feel free to connect with me:
Email: [sadiqkhoreem@alrazi.edu.ye](mailto:sadiqkhoreem@alrazi.edu.ye)
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