Magnetic properties of Eu3+ lightly doped ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles

Eu-doped ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles (ZnFe2−xEuxO4 (x=0, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03)) with different Eu3+ doping concentration were synthesized by a sol–gel method. The nanoparticles were characterized by conventional powder X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and vibrating sample magnetometry. The detailed investigation revealed the ZnFe2−xEuxO4 (x=0, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03) nanoparticles had zero coercivity with the increasing M/H as the content of Eu3+ ions increased. The corresponding magnetic mechanism had been discussed in detail.