Influence of Nd Doping on the Structural Infrared and IV Characteristic of Nickel Ferrite

In this study, nanocrystalline thin films of Nd3+doped spinel ferrite, represented by the chemical formula NiFe2-xNdxO4 (where x = 0.00, 0.02, and 0.04), were successfully synthesized using the spray pyrolysis deposition technique. The films were deposited onto glass substrates that had been thoroughly cleaned using ultrasonic treatment. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the formation of a single-phase cubic spinel structure, with characteristic peaks observed at (220), (311), (222), (400), (422), (511), and (540). The absence of secondary phases in the XRD patterns supports the phase purity of the deposited films. Crystallite sizes, calculated using the Debye-Scherrer equation, were found to range between 15 nm and 9 nm. A systematic decrease in lattice parameters was observed with increasing Nd³⁺ doping, indicating successful substitution at the iron sites. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy revealed distinct absorption bands around 400 cm⁻¹ and 600 cm⁻¹, corresponding to metal–oxygen stretching vibrations within the spinel lattice. Current–voltage (I–V) measurements confirmed the ohmic behaviour of the thin films, suggesting their potential applicability in electronic devices.