Structural evolution and magnetic properties of nanocrystalline magnesium-zinc soft ferrites synthesized by glycine-nitrate combustion process

摘要

In this study, nanocrystalline Mg_(1-x)Zn_xFe_2O_4 soft magnetic ferrites are synthesized by varying x from 0.0 to 0.6 with a step size of 0.1. A new combustion synthesis approach is taken using glycine as fuel and metal (Fe, Mg and Zn) nitrates as reactants. The effect of varying chemical composition, i.e. changing the parameter x, on the structural and magnetic properties is evaluated. X-ray diffraction results confirm that all samples crystallize in a spinel-type structure. Lattice parameter (α) is found to increase with the substitution of Zn~(2+) ions. The field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) is used for morphological investigations. Magnetic properties of Mg_(1-x)Zn_xFe_2O_4 ferrites are also evaluated by a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). It is found that the saturation magnetization increases as the Zn content goes up to x= = =0.4 and decreases afterwards. The change in saturation magnetization with Zn content is attributed to the variation of cation distribution in the spinel structure as chemical composition is modified.