Raman and in-field 57Fe Mössbauer study of cation distribution in Ga substituted cobalt ferrite (CoFe2-xGaxO4).

Structural and magnetic properties of Ga substituted cobalt ferrite (CoFe 2-x Ga x O 4) samples are reported in the present work. Phase purity of the prepared samples is studied with x-ray diffraction measurements. The room temperature M-H loops are measured using vibrating sample magnetometer. From the room temperature M-H data, it is observed that Ga substitution results in the soft-magnetic property in CoFe 2 O 4. Saturation magnetization is found to change for higher substitution of Ga (x > 0.2). The cation distribution with Ga substitution is estimated from the analysis of Raman spectroscopy data and in-field 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy measurements. Using the obtained complimentary information, it is concluded that the Fe3+ is forced to occupy more octahedral co-ordination with Ga substitution in CoFe 2 O 4. • Substitution effects of Ga in CoFe 2 O 4 (CoFe 2-x Ga x O 4) are studied. • Ga substitution in CoFe 2 O 4 results in soft-magnetic property. • Ferrimagnetic ordering is confirmed by in-field Mössbauer measurements. • Inversion parameter is observed to decrease with Ga substitution. • Fe3+ is forced to occupy more octahedral co-ordination with Ga substitution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]