Structural, optical, and dielectric performance of PVA/PVP/PEG blend loaded with nano CoFe<inf>2−x</inf>Er<inf>x</inf>O<inf>4</inf> ferrite

Abstract

Single spinel ferrite phase CoFe2−xErxO4 (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.4) with a cubic structure were prepared and used as nanofiller. The impact of Er doping on the cation distribution, lattice parameter, crystallite size and microstrain of host ferrite was explored utilizing Rietveld refinement. The integration of the nanofillers, miscibility, and surface morphology of PVA/PVP/PEG blended polymer were examined using X-ray diffraction and SEM techniques. Analysis of diffuse reflectance data manifested the reduction of optical band gap value of undoped blend (5.14 eV) to a value between 4.87 and 5.09 eV dependent on the Er amount in the nanofiller CoFe2−xErxO4. The effect of changing Er content on the linear and nonlinear optical parameters and emitted fluorescence colors was discussed. AC electrical characteristics, dielectric constant and electric modulus of the blends were also inspected.