Study of La³⁺ Substitution in Y₃Fe₅O₁₂ Nanoparticles by Sol-Gel Route

Abstract

In this study, La-substituted yttrium iron garnet nanoparticles with compositions Y₃LaₓFe₅-xO₁₂ (x = 0.0 and 0.2) were successfully synthesized using the sol-gel method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the formation of a pure cubic garnet phase, with a slight increase in lattice constant upon La substitution. The average crystallite sizes were calculated using the Debye-Scherrer formula and Williamson-Hall method, showing minor variation due to doping. FTIR spectra revealed characteristic Fe–O vibrational modes, supporting the garnet structure. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) showed spherical, agglomerated nanoparticles, with particle sizes increasing from 35.26 nm to 39.74 nm after La doping. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) confirmed the elemental composition, indicating successful incorporation of La³⁺ ions. The results demonstrate that La substitution effectively influences the structural and morphological properties of YIG nanoparticles, making them suitable for potential applications in magneto-dielectric and microwave devices.