Low-temperature synthesis and growth of superparamagnetic Zn0.5Ni0.5Fe2O4 nanosized particles

Mono-disperse spinel Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ nanosized particles have been synthesized via a hydrothermal method at low temperature. X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) analysis indicated that the synthesized nanocrystals were of pure cubic spinel structure with the size about 6-20 nm. The activation energy of grain growth is 35.06 kJ/mol experimented by the Arrhenius equation. A primary experimental model was put forward to shed light on the growth mechanism of crystallined spinel Ni-Zn ferrite nanosized particles under hydrothermal conditions. The magnetic measurements shows that the prepared Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ nanoparticle possess good superparamagnetic behavior.     

Fabrication and magnetic properties of Ni0.50.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 nanofibres by electrospinning

NiZn ferrite/polyvinylpyrrolidone composite fibres were prepared by sol–gel assisted electrospinning.Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 nanofibres with a pure cubic spinel structure were obtained subsequently by calcination of the composite fibres at high temperatures.This paper investigates the thermal decomposition process,structures and morphologies of the electrospun composite fibres and the calcined Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 nanofibres at different temperatures by thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis,x-ray diffraction,Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy.The magnetic behaviour of the resultant nanofibres was studied by a vibrating sample magnetometer.It is found that the grain sizes of the nanofibres increase significantly and the nanofibre morphology gradually transforms from a porous structure to a necklace-like nanostructure with the increase of calcination temperature.The Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 nanofibres obtained at 1000 C for 2 h are characterized by a necklace-like morphology and diameters of 100–200 nm.The saturation magnetization of the random Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 nanofibres increases from 46.5 to 90.2 emu/g when the calcination temperature increases from 450 to 1000 C.The coercivity reaches a maximum value of 11.0 kA/m at a calcination temperature of 600 C.Due to the shape anisotropy,the aligned Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 nanofibres exhibit an obvious magnetic anisotropy and the ease magnetizing direction is parallel to the nanofibre axis.     

Magnetic properties of nanostructured spinel ferrites and nanocomposite Nd2Fe114B/α-Fe permanent magnets

This paper presents some of the important magnetic properties of the nanostructured spinel ferrites such as Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ and Mn_0.67Zn_0.33Fe₂O₄ and also that of the nanocomposite Nd₂Fe₁₄B/α-Fe permanent magnetic material. The increase in the magnetic transition temperature of Ni-Zn ferrite from 538 K in the bulk state to 592 K when the grain size is reduced to 16 nm is correlated to the enhancement in the AB superexchange interaction strength because of an increase in the magnetic ion concentration in the A-site on milling, as shown by the EXAFS and in-field Mössbauer studies. The particle size has been tailor-made by varying the concentration of the oxidant in the case of Mn-Zn ferrite. The critical particle size for the superparamagnetic limit has been found to be 25 nm with an effective magnetic anisotropy constant of 7.78 kJ m^?3 which is about an order of magnitude higher than that of the bulk ferrite. The exchange coupling is found to be strengthened in the nanocomposite magnet Nd₂Fe₁₄B/α-Fe, when the grain boundary anisotropy is removed by thermal annealing and thus facilitating the enhancement of the energy product     

Structure of Co-Zn ferrite ferrofluid: A small angle neutron scattering analysis

A hydrothermal synthesis route is used to synthesize nanomagnetic particles of Co_0.3Zn_0.7Fe₂O₄ ferrite ferrofluids with particle diameter ranging from 5.5–9 nm. XRD analysis shows the formation of a single phase spinel structure. EDX results confirm the stoichiometric composition of the cations. Small angle neutron scattering technique is used to determine the size and size distribution of Co_0.3Zn_0.7Fe₂O₄ ferrofluid. The sizes thus obtained are in the range of 5.4 to 8.4 nm. These results are in agreement with magnetic measurements.      

Electromechanical and pyroelectric properties in CoZn ferrite transducer

The system Co_0.6Zn_0.4Fe₂O₄ ferrite was prepared by the usual ceramic method. The resonant frequency and antiresonance of vibrating disc have been studied as a function of temperature. The decrease of resonant frequency with rising temperature was attributed to increase the interaction of domains with the applied AC field. The decrease of the ultrasonic wave velocity with the increase of temperature was ascribed to thermal lattice vibration, which facilitate the domains to interact at lower frequency of the applied AC field. The electromechanical coupling factor of the radial mode was fairly constant with rising temperature. The pyroelectric voltage measured at the transducer electric terminals increases with the increase of temperature. Ferrite transducer is useful for ultrasonic generation to be used in technology.     

Modification of composite ceramics properties via different preparation techniques

Modifying the proportion of the base composition by substituting with suitable dopents and improving the preparation conditions is expected to change the performance of composites. In the present study, 0.5(Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄)/0.5(BaTiO₃) composite was prepared by, the conventional ceramic technique and the citrate method. Ceramic particles, when prepared via different routes, would demonstrate different properties, even with the same starting compositions. With the help of X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope (SEM), magnetic properties, and electric properties of the composites have been compared. A critical comparison of those methods is needed to make the best choice for given boundary conditions of targeted eventual material properties, raw materials, investment, processing and waste disposal costs.     

Microwave anneal effect on magnetic properties of Ni0.6Zn0.4Fe2O4 nano-particles prepared by conventional hydrothermal method

Ni_0.6Zn_0.4Fe₂O₄ ferrite nano-particles with a crystallite size of about 20 nm were prepared by the conventional hydrothermal method, followed by annealing in a microwave oven for 7.5-15 min. The microstructure and magnetic properties of the samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and vibrating sample magnetometry. The microwave annealing process has slight effect on the morphology and size of Ni_0.6Zn_0.4Fe₂O₄ ferrite nano-particles. However it reduces the lattice parameter and enhances the densification of the particles, and then greatly increases the saturation magnetization (50-56 emu/g) and coercive force of the samples as compared to the non-annealing condition. The microwave annealing process is an effective way to rapidly synthesize high performance ferrite nano-particle.     

Structure and magnetic properties of Co-substituted NiZn ferrite thin films synthesized by the sol-gel process

Co-substituted NiZn ferrite thin films, Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Co_xFe_2−xO₄ (0≤x≤0.2), were synthesized by the sol-gel process. The structure and magnetic properties of Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Co_xFe_2−xO₄ ferrite thin films have been investigated. The diffraction peak shifted towards the lower angle and the lattice parameter increased with Co substitution. There is little influence of Co substitution on the microstructure of NiZn ferrite thin films. The saturation magnetization gradually increases with the increase in Co substitution when x≤0.10, and decreases when x>0.10. Meanwhile, the coercivity initially decreases with the increase in Co substitution when x≤0.10, and increases when x>0.10.     

Synthesis and high-frequency magnetic properties of sol–gel derived Ni–Zn ferrite–forsterite composites

Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄–forsterite composites were synthesized by a sol–gel method. X-ray diffraction and SEM were used to characterize the crystallization behavior of the composite samples which were heat treated at temperatures varying from 800 to 1100°C. The results showed that Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ and forsterite (Mg₂SiO₄) can co-crystallize and the crystallites grow even more larger with increasing heat-treatment temperature. High-frequency (10 MHz–1 GHz) magnetic and dielectric properties of the composite samples were presented. Permeability increased with heat-treatment temperature. Quality factor was found to be two orders higher than that of equivalent pure, bulk ferrite.     

Enhanced magnetoelectric properties in three-phase composites with 2-1-2 connectivity

An investigation is reported on a 2-1-2 magnetoelectric (ME) laminate composite having Metglas/PZNT/Metglas configuration with ferrite pillars embedded in the PZNT phase. The piezoelectric layer with composition 0.2Pb(Zn_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃–0.8Pb(Zr_0.5Ti_0.5)O₃ (PZNT) consisted of co-fired (Ni_0.6Cu_0.2Zn_0.2)Fe₂O₃ (NCZF) pillars. The top and bottom Metglas layers in the sandwich structure had a thickness of 100 µm, whereas the middle piezoelectric layer had thickness of 800 µm. This 2-1-2 composite was found to exhibit a ME coefficient of the order of 352 mV/cm Oe. Interestingly, the performance of the 2-1-2 composite is 15% higher than that of conventional 2-2 laminate composite.     

Micro Raman,Mossbauer and magnetic studies of manganese substituted zinc ferrite nanoparticles: Role of Mn

A series of Mn–Zn Ferrite nanoparticles (<15 nm) with formula Mn_xZn_1−xFe₂O₄ (where x=0.00, 0.35, 0.50, 0.65) were successfully prepared by citrate-gel method at low temperature (400 °C). X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the formation of single cubic spinel phase in these nanoparticles. The FESEM and TEM micrographs revealed the nanoparticles to be nearly spherical in shape and of fairly uniform size. The fractions of Mn²⁺, Zn²⁺ and Fe³⁺ cations occupying tetrahedral sites along with Fe occupying octahedral sites within the unit cell of different ferrite samples are estimated by room temperature micro-Raman spectroscopy. Low temperature Mossbauer measurement on Mn_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ has reconfirmed the mixed spinel phase of these nanoparticles. Room temperature magnetization studies (PPMS) of Mn substituted samples showed superparamagnetic behavior. Manganese substitution for Zn in the ferrite caused the magnetization to increase from 04 to18 emu/g and Lande's g factor (estimated from ferromagnetic resonance measurement) from 2.02 to 2.12 when x was increased up to 0.50. The FMR has shown that higher Mn cationic substitution leads to increase in dipolar interaction and decrease in super exchange interaction. Thermomagnetic (M–T) and magnetization (M–H) measurements have shown that the increase in Mn concentration (up to x=0.50) enhances the spin ordering temperature up to 150 K (blocking temperature). Magnetocrystalline anisotropy in the nanoparticles was established by Mossbauer, ferromagnetic resonance and thermomagnetic measurements. The optimized substitution of manganese for zinc improves the magnetic properties and makes these nanoparticles a potential candidate for their applications in microwave region and biomedical field.     

Heat treatment effects on spinel phase of Zn x Ni1 − x Fe2O4 and MnFe2O4 nanoferrites

We report the effects of heat treatment on Zn _x Ni_1???x Fe₂O₄ (x?= 0, 0.5 and 1.0) and MnFe₂O₄ ferrite nanoparticles. The as-prepared compounds were sintered from 400°C to 1100°C. Pure ZnFe₂O₄ (x?= 1.0) and MnFe₂O₄ could be obtained under low reaction temperature of 200°C. NiFe₂O₄ (x?= 0) and Zn_0.5Ni_0.5Fe₂O₄ (x?= 0.5) nanoferrites crystallized with single phase cubic spinel structure after annealing at 600°C. The single phase cubic spinel structure of these compounds was destroyed after annealing at temperature above 700°C. The magnetization measurements indicate superparamagnetic behavior of the nanosized compounds produced.     

Preparation and magnetic properties of BaFe12O19/Ni0.8Zn0.2Fe2O4 nanocomposite ferrite

Nanocomposite of hard (BaFe₁₂O₁₉)/soft ferrite (Ni_0.8Zn_0.2Fe₂O₄) have been prepared by the sol–gel process. The nanocomposite ferrite are formed when the calcining temperature is above 800 °C. It is found that the magnetic properties strongly depend on the presintering treatment and calcining temperature. The “bee waist” type hysteresis loops for samples disappear when the presintering temperature is 400 °C and the calcination temperature reaches 1100 °C owing to the exchange-coupling interaction. The remanence of BaFe₁₂O₁₉/Ni_0.8Zn_0.2Fe₂O₄ nanocomposite ferrite with the mass ratio of 5:1 is higher than a single phase ferrite. The specific saturation magnetization, remanence magnetization and coercivity are 63 emu/g, 36 emu/g and 2750 G, respectively. The exchange-coupling interaction in the BaFe₁₂O₁₉/Ni_0.8Zn_0.2Fe₂O₄ nanocomposite ferrite is discussed.     

Time dependent magnetization of a Zn0.1Fe0.9Fe2O4 fine magnetic particle system

The time dependent magnetization measurements of the fine particles (100Å) of Zn_0.1Fe_0.9Fe₂O₄ ferrite system at 68 K are reported. The time decay of magnetization is found to be logarithmic. The time dependent co-efficient varies with the applied field and is maximum at coercive field. The value of anisotropy obtained from the variation of time dependent co-efficient with field agrees well with earlier results.     

Magnetic properties of nanostructured MnZn ferrite

Mn_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ nanoparticles (10-30 nm) have been prepared via mechanochemical processing, using a mixture of two single-phase ferrites, MnFe₂O₄ and ZnFe₂O₄. SQUID measurements (field-cooled magnetization curves and hysteresis loops) were performed to follow the mechanically induced evolution of the MnFe₂O₄/ZnFe₂O₄ mixture submitted to the high-energy milling process. The resulting single MnZn nanoferrite phase was characterized by SQUID (M-H curve), Faraday balance (M-T curve) and transmission electron microscopy. The magnetic characteristics of the mechanosynthesized material were compared with those of bulk Mn_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄. It was found that the saturation magnetization of nanostructured Mn_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ (87.2 emu/g) is lower than that of the bulk Mn_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄, but, the Néel temperature of the sample (583 K) is higher than that of the bulk Mn_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄.     

Multilayer metallization of ferrite Mg<Subscript>0.54</Subscript>Zn<Subscript>0.46</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>

The character of interatomic interaction in ferrite Mg_0.54Zn_0.46Fe₂O₄ was studied using the x-ray spectroscopy technique and theoretically. It was found that the electronic structure of samples is rearranged during annealing at high temperatures (1280°C, 0.5–0.8 h). The electronic structure rearrangement was shown to be associated with multilayered ferrite metallization in which alternating layers with metallic and ionic-covalent bonds form.     

Mössbauer study of thermal magnetic transitions in Cu0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4

The dependence of the Mössbauer spectra of the ferrite Cu_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ on the temperature is investigated. The profiles of the hyperfine magnetic fields distributionP(H) are obtained from the spectra by a decomposition method. The results are interpreted by assuming a variation of the magnetic correlation radius in the region of the thermal magnetic transition.     

Structural,magnetic and dielectric properties of (Li1+, Al3+) co-doped Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 ferrite ceramics prepared by the sol-gel auto-combustion method

(Li¹⁺, Al³⁺) co-doped Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ ferrites, Ni_0.5-xZn_0.5-xLi_xAl_xFe₂O₄ (x = 0.000, 0.025, 0.050 and 0.100), were synthesized by the sol-gel auto-combustion method. X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electronic microscope (FESEM), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and LCR meter were used to investigate the structural, magnetic and dielectric properties. Results of XRD and SEM indicate that both doping amount and calcination temperature play significant roles in crystal structure and grain growth. Also, it can be observed that the saturation magnetization and the coercivity change in a noticeable manner. The Ni_0.475Zn_0.475Li_0.025Al_0.025Fe₂O₄ ferrite sintered at 1200 °C has a relatively low coercivity value (62.93 Oe) and the largest saturation magnetization (110.95 emu/g). Besides, dielectric behavior is also improved by Li¹⁺ and Al³⁺ co-doping.     

Effect of electromagnetic field strength on Ni0.35Zn0.65Fe2O4 as performed by combustion synthesis

Ni_0.35Zn_0.65Fe₂O₄ ferrite is prepared through combustion synthesis in the external electromagnetic field. The highest magnetic field strength for the experiment is 1.1 T. Reactions temperatures were monitored by infrared radiation thermometer, the synthesized ferrite prepared in different magnetic fields is analyzed by XRD, SEM, and VSM. The results indicate that the coercivity of ferrite gradually decrease with the increase of magnetization. When the magnetic field strength is 0.54 T, the saturation magnetization is improved up to 56.05 emu/g (42%) as compared to that of ferrite in zero magnetic field. Through SEM analysis of Ni_0.35Zn_0.65Fe₂O₄ ferrite, homogeneous grains of the crystal are observed. With the increase of external magnetic field, the ferrite grain improved. This paper also systematically explores the effect of the electromagnetic field on ferrite by combustion synthesis.     

Dependence of magnetic properties and microstructure of mechanically alloyed Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 on soaking time

Possible soaking-time effects on the magnetic and microstructural properties of polycrystalline samples of Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ have been studied. Nanosize powder produced by mechanical alloying was sintered at 800 °C with various soaking times. All samples showed the signature peak of Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ even with one hour of soaking time. The size distributions show a slow growth of microstructural evolution related to density, porosity and also to the magnetic hysteresis loops. Within these distributions it is observed that the formation of multi-domains is not possible and probably there are the regions of superparamagnetic and single-domain grains. From the permeability studies, it is believed that the rise of the magnetic moment on the B sites give rise to the total saturation magnetization with increase of soaking time. The hysteresis loop of one-hour soaking time showed paramagnetic behavior dominating while longer soaking times showed ferromagnetic behavior starting to dominate. The coercivity was observed to increase with soaking time, signaling the increase of the anisotropy fields which was attributed to the shape anisotropy and also to the magnetocrystalline anisotropy. By correlating the morphology, phase analysis, permeability and hysteresis loops results, it is believed that there was an increase in number of crystalline-growth regions which together formed a total mass of mixed superparamagnetic and ferromagnetic grains with the latter starting to dominate the samples.