Influence of ZnSnO3 on Structural, Optical, and Magnetic Properties of YFeO3 Nanomaterials Obtained Via Sol-Gel Technique

The orthorhombic crystal structure of YFeO3 (YFO) is well known for photocatalysis and magneto-optical application mainly due to its low-energy bandgap when compared to that of other perovskite-based oxide materials. Continuous efforts are being made on this material to further improve the magnetization value via changing the synthesis process, changing the chelating agents, doping the rare earth elements, and a few more. In this connection, the magnetization value of YFO nanomaterial by making solid solutions with ZnSnO3 (ZS) nanomaterial is improved. Herein, the solid solution of (1-x) YFO + x ZS (where x = 0, 0.02, 0.04, and 0.06) is synthesized via a conventional solid-state reaction route. For this, the prereacted YFO nanomaterial and ZS nanomaterial powders are used to investigate the effect of ZS on the magnetic properties of YFO. X-ray diffraction studies reveal that a single phase is formed maximum up to x = 0.06 mol of ZS in YFO. Interestingly the magnetization value for the x = 0.04 mol ZS in YFO (4.212 emu g(-1)) is superior to that of pure YFO (3.196 emu g(-1)) and other compositions. Here, it is concluded that ZS (x = 0.04) in YFO will be a potential candidate for different magnetic applications.