LAUSR

This study investigated the production of Cu2+-doped CoFe2O4 nanoparticles (CFO NPs) using a facile sol−gel technique. The impact of Cu2+ doping on the lattice parameters, morphology, optical properties, and electrical properties of CFO NPs was investigated for applications in electrical devices. The XRD analysis revealed the formation of spinel-phased crystalline structures of the specimens with no impurity phases. The average grain size, lattice constant, cell volume, and porosity were measured in the range of 4.55–7.07 nm, 8.1770–8.1097 Å, 546.7414–533.3525 Å3, and 8.77–6.93%, respectively. The SEM analysis revealed a change in morphology of the specimens with a rise in Cu2+ content. The particles started gaining a defined shape and size with a rise in Cu2+ doping. The Cu0.12Co0.88Fe2O4 NPs revealed clear grain boundaries with the least agglomeration. The energy band gap declined from 3.98 eV to 3.21 eV with a shift in Cu2+ concentration from 0.4 to 0.12. The electrical studies showed that doping a trace amount of Cu2+ improved the electrical properties of the CFO NPs without producing any structural distortions. The conductivity of the Cu2+-doped CFO NPs increased from 6.66 × 10−10 to 5.26 × 10−6 ℧ cm−1 with a rise in Cu2+ concentration. The improved structural and electrical characteristics of the prepared Cu2+-doped CFO NPs made them a suitable candidate for electrical devices, diodes, and sensor technology applications.