Influence of dopants on the properties of maghemite

Preparation of acicular maghemite containing dopants like Mg, Ni and Gd and their characterisation using different analytical techniques have been rep orted. These investigations reveal that the addition of dopants like Mg, Ni and Gd modifies the magnetic properties without effecting any structural c hanges. The optical bandgaps of these doped compositions have also been det ermined. Evidence is also available from spectroscopic investigations sugge sting that maghemite prepared via the oxalate precursor route does not exhi bit a hydrogen ferrite structure.