Mössbauer studies of Co_0.5Cd_xFe _2.5-xO₄ (0.0≤×≤0.5) ferrite

In the present work, we have studied the magnetic environment of Fe atoms in Cd-doped cobalt ferrite using Mössbauer spectroscopy. A series of six samples with Co_0.05Cd_xFe_2.5-xO₄ compositions (0.0≤×≤0.5) was prepared by sol-gel technique and then investigated by X-ray diffraction at room temperature and Mössbauer spectroscopy measurements in the transmission geometry at 78 K. Results of the XRD measurements indicate that all samples exhibit a single-phase cubic spinel structure. The analysis of the Mössbauer spectra shows a decrease in hyperfine magnetic field decreases at A and B site on increasing the doping of Cd ions. The appearance of the paramagnetic doublet at x = 0.5 clearly indicates that A-B super-exchange decreases due to dilution of the sub-lattice by Cd ions. The isomer shift values calculated from the fitting of the Mössbauer spectra clearly indicate that the resolved sextets in studied samples are due to Fe³⁺ ions only.