Controllability of optical, electrical, and magnetic properties of synthesized Cd-doped MgFe2O4 nanostructure

This study explores the synthesis of cadmium-magnesium co-doped magnesium ferrite (Mg1+xCdxFe2–2xO4, 0.00 ≤ x ≤ 0.30, Δx = 0.05) via a citric acid-assisted sol-gel auto-combustion method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed crystal structure changes due to Cd and Mg co-doping, with the 0.25 Cd sample showing the smallest crystallite size and highest lattice strain. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) confirmed the nanostructure and largest surface area for this sample. Diffuse reflectance spectra, analyzed using the Kubelka-Munk relation, indicated that the 0.25 Cd sample had the lowest energy gap (2.08 eV), supported by band position calculations. Electrical conductivity and charge transport mechanisms were examined at various temperatures. Magnetization studies showed reduced saturation magnetization at x = 0.25, ascribed to cation distribution changes and spin canting, with coercivity and anisotropy decreasing with higher Cd content. Overall, the 0.25 Cd sample exhibited optimized optical, electrical, and magnetic properties due to its distinct microstructure. •Cd-doping optimized structural, optical, electrical, and magnetic properties of MgFe2O4.•Smallest particle size and unified domains observed at 0.25 Cd content.•Electrical conductivity maximized at 0.25 Cd due to variable range hopping.•Magnetic moment and saturation magnetization decreased, indicating non-collinear spin arrangements.•Coercivity and anisotropy reduced, transitioning the material to magnetically softer.