Investigation of the Physical Properties of Yb³⁺ Doped ZnFe₂O₄ Nanopowders Synthesized by Sol-Gel Method

  • M. Guettaf Laboratory of Physical-Chemical Inorganic Materials and their applications (LPCMIA), Saad Dahleb University, Blida, Algeria https://orcid.org/0009-0005-3875-3782
  • S. Saadi Laboratory of Applied Chemistry and Materials (LabCAM), University of M’hamed Bougara of Boumerdes, Avenue de l'Indépendance, Boumerdes, Algeria https://orcid.org/0009-0002-0633-9294
  • D. Mouattah Laboratory Physico- Chemistry of Materials (LPCM), University of Amar Telidji, Laghouat, Algeria https://orcid.org/0009-0000-0941-7740
  • A. Kezzim Laboratory of Physical-Chemical Inorganic Materials and their applications (LPCMIA), Saad Dahleb University-Blida, Algeria https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6638-0809
  • I. Lanez Laboratory of Physical-Chemical Inorganic Materials and their applications (LPCMIA), Saad Dahleb University, Blida, Algeria https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6758-9583
  • B. Rekik Laboratory of Physical-Chemical Inorganic Materials and their applications (LPCMIA), Saad Dahleb University, Blida, Algeria https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4944-3390
DOI: https://doi.org/10.26565/2312-4334-2026-1-27
Keywords: Ytterbium, Zinc ferrite nanopowders, XRD, Raman, Bandgap energy

Abstract

ZnFe2-xYbxO4 with (x = 0, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.05, 0.07, and 0.09) have been successfully synthesized by the sol-gel method at 750°C. X-ray diffraction results showed a single phase and crystalline nanopowders of spinel-type structure with cubic symmetry and space group . The lattice parameters increase with Yb3+ concentrations. The BET specific area of ZnxFe2-xYbxO4 (x = 0.03) was determined to be the larger 13.59 m2/g. The crystallite size was determined by Rietveld to be in the range of 29-104 nm. FTIR spectra showed two strong absorption bands, a common characteristic of the spinel structure. Further, the shifting of the lower absorption band toward a higher frequency confirms that Yb3+ ions predominantly replaced Fe3+ ions in octahedral sites. The formation of the spinel phase in the samples was also validated by Raman scattering, with asymmetric broadening, and a systematic shift in the Raman spectra was observed as a function of Yb3+ concentration. Scanning electron microscopy SEM showed that powders consist of micrometric aggregation of smaller particles. EDS examinations verified that the chemical elements Zn, Fe, Yb, and O are present in all samples. The direct bandgap energy values are calculated by Tauc’s plot, and it indicates a semiconductor character of our compound, revealing an increase and enhancement in bandgap energy values from 1.82 to 2.4 eV with Yb3+ substitution.

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Published
2026-03-14
Cited
How to Cite
Guettaf, M., Saadi, S., Mouattah, D., Kezzim, A., Lanez, I., & Rekik, B. (2026). Investigation of the Physical Properties of Yb³⁺ Doped ZnFe₂O₄ Nanopowders Synthesized by Sol-Gel Method. East European Journal of Physics, (1), 247-255. https://doi.org/10.26565/2312-4334-2026-1-27
Issue
No. 1 (2026): East European Journal of Physics
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Original Papers

Copyright (c) 2026 M. Guettaf, S. Saadi, D. Mouattah, A. Kezzim, I. Lanez, B. Rekik

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