Structural and Magnetic Characteristics of CoFexNi2−xS4 (x≤0.06) Nanothiospinels: DFT Calculations

Abstract

Microspheres of CoFexNi2−xS4 (x≤0.06) nanothiospinels (NTSs) were successfully synthesized hydrothermally. The influence of Fe3+ ion substitution on the morphology, structure, and magnetic performance of the products is carefully investigated. Magnetic properties of CoFexNi2−xS4 (x≤0.06) NTSs are analyzed at 300 K (RT) and 10 K between ±50 kOe. At both temperatures, ferromagnetic nature (and hysteresis loops) is not detected for samples with x<0.03. For the host sample (x=0.00), while a diamagnetic behavior was observed at 300 K, paramagnetic behavior was exhibited at 10 K. Kinks, showing up in the hysteresis loops at 10 K, disappear at 300 K. The coercivity values of Fe-doped NTSs (0.03≤x≤0.06) at both at RT and 10 K demonstrate their magnetically hard nature. These results highlight that the Ni dopants can be harnessed to achieve desired magnetic properties of CoFexNi2−xS4 NTSs. The obtained findings show the potential for tuning the magnetic properties of CoFexNi2−xS4 nanothiospinels, making them promising candidates for use in spintronics, magnetic data storage, and sensors.