A Master’s thesis in the Department of Physics at the College of Education for Pure Sciences (Ibn Al-Haitham) has investigated the preparation and characterization of cerium-doped nickel-zinc ferrite (Ni-Zn ferrite), with the aim of examining how cerium incorporation influences the structural and electrical properties of the material and exploring its potential for electronic and electromagnetic applications at medium and high frequencies.
The thesis, entitled “Preparation and Study of Cerium-Doped Nickel-Zinc Ferrite,” was prepared by Master’s student Amna Maytham Hitler Hashim under the supervision of Professor Dr. Abbas Kareem Saadoun.
The primary objective of the study was to investigate the effect of cerium (Ce) incorporation on the structural and electrical properties of mixed nickel-zinc ferrites (Ni-Zn) prepared using the solid-state reaction method. The research examined changes in grain size, crystal structure, and electrical conductivity across different cerium concentrations ranging from 0% to 20%.
The study employed several advanced characterization techniques to analyze the prepared materials. X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to investigate the crystalline structure and phase characteristics of the samples, while scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed to examine their microstructure and grain morphology. The research also included electrical measurements of the real part of the dielectric constant (ε′), the imaginary part of the dielectric constant (ε′′), and dielectric loss (tanδ) to evaluate the electrical performance of the materials and explore ways of optimizing their properties for medium- and high-frequency applications.
The significance of the research stems from the important role played by ferrite materials in a wide range of electronic and electromagnetic applications. Understanding the relationship between rare-earth-element doping, microstructural characteristics, and electrical properties may contribute to the development of functional materials with improved performance for emerging high-frequency technologies.
The study also proposed several directions for future research. These include investigating the effect of sintering temperatures ranging from 1100°C to 1200°C on the density and electrical properties of samples containing 10 wt.% Ce, with the aim of achieving improved electrical performance. The study further recommended examining cerium concentrations exceeding 20 wt.% to investigate the possible formation of secondary phases, such as CeO₂, and their influence on the structural and electrical properties of NiZnFe₂O₄.
Additional recommendations included comparing the conventional solid-state reaction method with alternative preparation techniques, such as the sol-gel method, to improve grain homogeneity. The study also proposed exploring the potential use of the 10 wt.% Ce-doped sample in high-frequency transformer cores, including applications associated with emerging communication technologies, as well as investigating the potential of materials exhibiting reduced dielectric constants for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding applications.
The research further recommended investigating the thermal properties of the doped samples, including thermal conductivity, to assess their potential for heat-management and thermal-dissipation systems. Future studies were also proposed to examine magnetic properties, particularly saturation magnetization and coercivity, in order to evaluate the potential of cerium-doped nickel-zinc ferrites for magnetic and energy-related applications.
The study aligns with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 9 (SDG 9): Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, through its application of materials science and applied physics to the development of functional materials with potential applications in advanced electronic and electromagnetic technologies. It also has an indirect connection with SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) through the investigation of materials that may contribute to future electronic, electrical, and electromagnetic systems with improved performance and energy-related functionality.
The thesis examination committee was chaired by Professor Dr. Shatha Hashim Mahdi, with Professor Dr. Mohammed Hamid Abdullah, Assistant Professor Dr. Hussein Ali Jan Mairan, and Professor Dr. Abbas Kareem Saadoun, who also served as the thesis supervisor, as committee members.
The research reflects the growing focus of the Department of Physics on advanced materials and the optimization of their functional properties for emerging technological applications, particularly in high-frequency electronics, communications, electromagnetic materials, and electromagnetic interference shielding. It highlights the role of academic research in advancing materials innovation and supporting the development of modern technological solutions.
