Synthesis of dysprosium/Mn–Cu ferrite binary nanocomposite: Analysis of structural, morphological, dielectric, and optomagnetic properties

Abstract Manganese–copper ferrite (MCFO) and dysprosium (Dy)-doped manganese–copper ferrite nanocomposites (Mn0.5Cu0.5DyxFe2−xO4) (x = 0, 0.05, 0.10, and 0.15) were synthesized by sonochemical method. Crystal structure and the structural parameters of the MCFO were analyzed based on the doping concentration of Dy ion. It was observed that the average crystalline size of the synthesized nanocomposite decreases when the concentration of Dy increases. The existing spherical surface morphology of the MCFO and Dy-doped MCFO nanocomposites were obtained through scanning electron microscopy. In the UV spectrum, the pristine MCFO sample showed an absorbance peak at 743 nm whereas the absorbance values of Dy-doped ferrite nanocomposite considerably shifted (blue) toward a lower wavelength (231–222 nm). The dielectric parameters of all ferrite nanocomposites were studied in the frequency range of 100 Hz to 5 MHz. The dielectric spectrum revealed that dielectric constant and loss tangent decreased with increased doping concentration of Dy ion. The saturation magnetization also changed with Dy doping in MCFO. The impact of Dy on manganese–copper ferrite changed the optical, dielectric and magnetic properties of the prepared binary ferrite nanocomposite, which can be used for microwave-absorbing material applications.