Structural and magnetic studies of tin doped α-Fe2O3 (α-SnxFe2-xO3) nanoparticles prepared by microwave assisted synthesis

Abstract

Hematite (α-Fe<inf>2</inf>O<inf>3</inf>) doped with tetravalent ions have potential applications in various fields such as gas sensors, memories, energy storage devices because of their electrical and magnetic properties. Microwave assisted synthesis was used to prepare Tin doped α-Fe<inf>2</inf>O<inf>3</inf> [α-Sn<inf>x</inf>Fe<inf>2-x</inf>O<inf>3</inf>]. The structural and morphological studies were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). XRD patterns revealed that α-Fe<inf>2</inf>O<inf>3</inf> and α-Sn<inf>x</inf>Fe<inf>2-x</inf>O<inf>3</inf> were having rhombohedral structure. The compositional study was done by Energy dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS). The magnetic properties were studied by Vibrating Sample Magnetometry (VSM). Results shows that the prepared samples were found to be antiferromagnetic in nature and the results are discussed in detail. © 2016 Author(s).