Magnetic Properties and Structural Analysis of Ce‐Doped Mg–Cr Nano‐Ferrites Synthesized Using Auto‐Combustion Technique

Abstract The spinel sequenced structure is prepared using the sol–gel technique to study the influence of cerium metal onto the structure, magnetic, and morphological properties of MgCr 0.5‐ x CexFe 1.5 O 4 ( x = 0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5) ferrites. The formation of a magnesium ferrite phase is confirmed for all prepared samples by using X‐ray diffraction, and the structural properties are studied. It is found that the lattice constant increases with the increase in the cerium content, which ranges between (8.35 and 8.45) Å, also found the crystallite size ranges between (8.25 and 17.51) nm. On the other hand, the images of SEM appear existence of agglomeration, distinct nanoparticles of the samples with not uniform distribution of broader grain size. EDX analysis confirms there are no other elements as impurities are detected in synthesized samples. Magnetic measurements by VSM made at room temperature reveal that the magnetization value decreases to x = 0.01 and then increases with the content of Ce 3+ ions. The magnetic nature of the doping samples does not play a major role in determining the final magnetic properties of the compound. Rather, the cation distribution is an important parameter. These properties reveal the super‐magnetic nature of the cerium‐saturated Mg nanoparticles and may be convenient for catalysts and moisture sensors.