Structural, AC, and DC magnetic properties of Zn1−xCoxFe2O4

Structural, AC and DC magnetic properties of polycrystalline Zn_1−xCo_xFe₂O₄ (x=0.2, 0.4) samples sintered at various temperatures (1100-1300 °C), and various dwell times (0.2-15 h) have been investigated thoroughly. The bulk density of the Zn_0.60Co_0.40Fe₂O₄ samples increases as the sintering temperature (T_s) increases from 1100 to 1250 °C, and above 1250 °C the bulk density decreases slightly. The Zn_0.80Co_0.20Fe₂O₄ samples show similar behavior of changes to that of Zn_0.60Co_0.40Fe₂O₄ samples except that the bulk density is found to be highest at 1200 °C. The DC magnetization as a function of temperature curves show that the Zn_0.60Co_0.40Fe₂O₄ sample is ferrimagnetic at room temperature while the Zn_0.80Co_0.20Fe₂O₄ sample is paramagnetic at room temperature. The T_c of Zn_0.80Co_0.20Fe₂O₄ sample is found to be 170 K from DC magnetization measurement. Separate measurement (AC magnetization), initial permeability as a function of temperature shows that the T_c of the Zn_0.60Co_0.40Fe₂O₄ sample is 353 K. Slight variation of T_c is observed depending on sintering condition. The initial permeability for the Zn_0.60Co_0.40Fe₂O₄ composition sintered at 1250 °C is found to be maximum.     

Structural,electrical transport,and magnetic properties of Ni1−xZnxFe2O4

Structural, electrical, and magnetic properties of Ni_1−xZn_xFe₂O₄ (x=0.2, 0.4) samples sintered at various temperatures have been investigated thoroughly. The bulk density of the Ni_0.8Zn_0.2Fe₂O₄ samples increases as the sintering temperature (T_s) increases from 1200 to 1300 °C and above 1300 °C the bulk density decreases slightly. The Ni_0.6Zn_0.4Fe₂O₄ samples show similar behavior of changes to that of Ni_0.8Zn_0.2Fe₂O₄ samples, except that the bulk density is found to be the highest at 1350 °C. The DC electrical resistivity, ρ(T)$\rho (T)$, decreases as the temperature increases indicating that the samples have semiconductor-like behavior. As the Zn content increases, the Curie temperature (T_c), resistivity, and the activation energy decrease while the magnetization, initial permeability, and the relative quality factor (Q) increases. A Hopkinson peak is obtained near T_c in the real part of the initial permeability vs. temperature curves. The ferrite with higher permeability has a relatively lower resonance frequency. The initial permeability and magnetization of the samples has been found to correlate with density, average grain sizes. Possible explanation for the observed structural, magnetic, and changes of resistivity behavior with various Zn content are discussed.     

Enhancement of microstructure and initial permeability due to Cu substitution in Ni0.50−xCuxZn0.50Fe2O4 ferrites

Structural and magnetic properties of Cu substituted Ni_0.50−xCu_xZn_0.50Fe₂O₄ ferrites (where x=0.0-0.25) prepared by an auto combustion method have been investigated. The X-ray diffraction patterns of these compositions confirmed the formation of the single phase spinel structure. The lattice parameter increases with the increase in Cu²⁺ content obeying Vegard's law. The particle size of the starting powder compositions varied from 22 to 72 nm. The theoretical density increases with increase in copper content whereas the Néel temperature decreases. The bulk density, grain size and permeability increases up to a certain level of Cu²⁺ substitution, beyond that all these properties decrease with increase in Cu²⁺ content. The bulk density increases with increase in sintering temperatures up to 1250 °C for the parent composition, while for substituted compositions it increases up to 1200 °C. Due to substitution of Cu²⁺, the real part of the initial permeability increases from 97 to ∼390 for the sample sintered at 1100 °C and from 450 to 920 for the sample sintered at 1300 °C. The ferrites with higher initial permeability have a relatively lower resonance frequency, which obey Snoek's law. The initial permeability strongly depends on average grain size and intragranular porosity. The saturation magnetization, M_s, and the number of Bohr magneton, n(μ_B)_, decreases up to x=0.15 due to the reduction of the A-B interaction in the AB₂O₄ spinel type ferrites. Beyond that value of x, the M_s and the n(μ_B) values are enhanced. The substitution of Cu²⁺ influences the magnetic parameters due to modification of the cation distribution.     

The structure and magnetic properties of Zn1−xNixFe2O4 ferrite nanoparticles prepared by sol–gel auto-combustion

Zn_1−xNi_xFe₂O₄ ferrite nanoparticles were prepared by sol–gel auto-combustion and then annealed at 700 °C for 4 h. The results of differential thermal analysis indicate that the thermal decomposition temperature is about 210 °C and Ni–Zn ferrite nanoparticles could be synthesized in the self-propagating combustion process. The microstructure and magnetic properties were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, and Vibrating sample magnetometer. It is observed that all the spherical nanoparticles with an average grain size of about 35 nm are of pure spinel cubic structure. The crystal lattice constant declines gradually with increasing x from 0.8435 nm (x=0.20) to 0.8352 nm (x=1.00). Different from the composition of Zn_0.5Ni_0.5Fe₂O₄ for the bulk, the maximum M_s is found in the composition of Zn_0.3Ni_0.7Fe₂O₄ for nanoparticles. The H_c of samples is much larger than the bulk ferrites and increases with the enlarging x. The results of Zn_0.3Ni_0.7Fe₂O₄ annealed at different temperatures indicate that the maximum M_s (83.2 emu/g) appears in the sample annealed at 900 °C. The H_c of Zn_0.3Ni_0.7Fe₂O₄ firstly increases slightly as the grain size increases, and presents a maximum value of 115 Oe when the grains grow up to about 30 nm, and then declines rapidly with the grains further growing. The critical diameter (under the critical diameter, the grain is of single domain) of Zn_0.3Ni_0.7Fe₂O₄ nanoparticles is found to be about 30 nm.     

Reentrant spin glass behavior and large initial permeability of Co0.5−xMnxZn0.5Fe2O4

A series of polycrystalline ferrites having nominal chemical composition Co_0.50−xMn_xZn_0.5Fe₂O₄ (0<x<0.4) have been synthesized by the solid-state reaction technique. The XRD analysis confirms single phase cubic spinel structure for all compositions. Lattice constant increases from 0.84195 to 0.84429 nm with the increasing Mn content and obeys Vegard's law. The average grain size increases by increasing both Mn content and sintering temperatures. Room temperature saturation magnetization increases for x=0.1 and decreases for increasing Mn content. The coercivity decreases with increasing Mn content due to the decrease of anisotropy constant. A reentrant spin glass behavior of these samples is observed from the zero field cooled magnetization measurements. The real part of the initial permeability increases by increasing both Mn content and sintering temperatures. This is due to the homogeneous grain growth and densification of the ferrites. The highest initial permeability 137 is observed for x=0.4 sintered at 1573 K on the other hand, the highest relative quality factor (2522) is obtained for the sample Co_0.2Mn_0.3Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ sintered at 1523 K. The Mn substituted Co_0.50−xMn_xZn_0.5Fe₂O₄ ferrites showed improved magnetic properties.     

Structural, thermal and magnetic properties of Ni1−xMnxFe2O4 nanoferrites

In this paper, the structural, thermal and magnetic properties of Ni_1−xMn_xFe₂O₄ are presented. It is observed that high concentration of Mn²⁺ ions into NiFe₂O₄ tends to reduce the particle size. Calcination at 500 °C has resulted in the growth of Ni_1−xMn_xFe₂O₄ nanoparticles, but the calcination at 900 °C has led to the evaporation of the majorities of the polyvinyl alcohol. After calcination at 900 °C, crystallographically oriented NiMnFe₂O₄ nanoparticles are formed. These Ni_1−xMn_xFe₂O₄ nanoparticles show hysteresis behaviour upon magnetization. On the other hand, saturation magnetization (Ms) values decreases with increasing Mn content in ferrite due to the influence of Mn²⁺ ion in the sub lattice.     

High-frequency permeability and permittivity of NixZn(1−x)Fe2O4 thick film

Magnetic materials such as Ni_xZn_(1−x)Fe₂O₄ have resonant frequency in high frequency; therefore, they are more useful especially in microwaves. The Ni_xZn_(1−x)Fe₂O₄ was prepared by the chemical coprecipitation method using citrate precursors, and the fritless thick film was screen printed on alumina substrates. The composition-dependent permeability and permittivity in the high frequency 8–12 GHz are investigated. Using the overlay technique on Ag-thick-film patch antenna, the change in reflectance and transmittance has been measured. The Ni_xZn_(1−x)Fe₂O₄ thick film, when used as overlay on Ag-thick-film patch antenna, changes the resonance characteristics. The changes in resonance frequency, reflectance and transmittance have been used to calculate the permeability and permittivity of the thick film. Zinc-concentration-dependent changes are obtained.     

Doping effect of Mn on the magnetic behavior in Ni-Zn ferrite nanoparticles prepared by sol-gel auto-combustion

The ferrite samples of a chemical formula Ni_0.5−xMn_xZn_0.5Fe₂O₄ (where x=0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5) were synthesized by sol-gel auto-combustion method. The synthesized samples were annealed at 600 °C for 4 h. An analysis of X-ray diffraction patterns reveals the formation of single phase cubic spinel structure. The lattice parameter increases linearly with increase in Mn content x. An initial increase followed by a subsequent decrease in saturation magnetization with increase in Mn content is observed showing inverse trend of coercivity (H_c). Curie temperature decreases with increase in Mn content x. The initial permeability is observed to increase with increase in Mn content up to x=0.3 followed by a decrease, the maximum value being 362. Possible explanation for the observed structural, magnetic, and changes of permeability behavior with various Mn content are discussed.     

Microwave sintering of high-permeability (Ni0.20Zn0.60Cu0.20)Fe1.98O4 ferrite at low sintering temperatures

The (Ni_0.20Zn_0.60Cu_0.20)Fe_1.98O₄ ferrite was sintered using microwave sintering and conventional sintering technique, respectively. It was found that microwave sintering technique can effectively promote the forward diffusion of ions and thus accelerate the sintering process, resulting in the grain growth and the densification of matrix. At the low frequency of 100 kHz, the magnetizing contribution of domain wall motion is predominant, and compact and coarse matrixes are favorable for domain wall motion, giving rise to improvement of relative initial permeability and loss of ferrites. Using microwave sintering technique, for the (Ni_0.20Zn_0.60Cu_0.20)Fe_1.98O₄ ferrite, the relative initial permeability μ_i of about 2000 and the relative loss factor tanδ/μ_i of about 8.7×10⁻⁶ at 100 kHz were achieved at only 980 °C sintering temperature. In addition, the sintering time of ferrites was reduced from 5 to 0.5 h by using microwave sintering technique.     

Li0.5Fe2.5−xMnxO4 ferrite sintered from microwave-induced combustion

Li_0.5Fe_2.5−xMn_xO₄ (0≦x≦1.0) powders with small and uniformly sized particles were successfully synthesized by microwave-induced combustion, using lithium nitrate, ferric nitrate, manganese nitrate and carbohydrazide as the starting materials. The process takes only a few minutes to obtain as-received Mn-substituted lithium ferrite powders. The resultant powders annealed at 650 ^°C for 2 h and were investigated by thermogravimeter/differential thermal analyzer (TG/DTA), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), and thermomagnetic analysis (TMA). The results revealed that the Mn content were strongly influenced the magnetic properties and Curie temperature of Mn-substituted lithium ferrite powder. As for sintered Li_0.5Fe_2.5−xMn_xO₄ specimens, substituting an appropriate amount of Mn for Fe in the Li_0.5Fe_2.5−xMn_xO₄ specimens markedly improved the complex permeability and loss tangent.     

Influence of manganese substitution and annealing temperature on the formation,microstructure and magnetic properties of Mn–Zn ferrites

The effects of annealing temperature and manganese substitution on the formation, microstructure and magnetic properties of Mn_xZn_1−xFe₂O₄ (with x varying from 0.3 to 0.9) through a solid-state method have been investigated. The correlation of the microstructure and the grain size with the magnetic properties of Mn–Zn ferrite powders was also reported. X-ray diffraction (XRD), a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) were utilized in order to study the effect of variation of manganese substitution and its impact on crystal structure, crystalline size, microstructure and magnetic properties of the ferrite powders formed. The XRD analysis showed that pure single phases of Mn–Zn ferrites were obtained by increasing the annealing temperature to 1200–1300 °C. Increasing the annealing temperature to ?1300 °C led to abnormal grain growth with inter-granular pores and this led to a decrease in the saturation magnetization. Moreover, an increase in the Mn²⁺ ion substitution up to x=0.8 increased the lattice parameter of the formed powders due to the high ionic radii of the Mn²⁺ ion. Mn–Zn ferrites phases were formed and the positions of peaks were shifted by substituting manganese. The average crystalline size was increased by increasing the annealing temperature and decreased by increasing the substitution by manganese up to 0.8. The average crystalline size was in the range 95–137.3 nm. The saturation magnetization of the Mn–Zn-substituted ferrite powders increased continuously with an increase in the Mn concentration up to 0.8 at annealing temperatures of 1200–1300 °C. Further increase of Mn substitution up to 0.9 led to a decrease of saturation magnetization. The saturation magnetization increased from 17.3 emu/g for the Mn_0.3Zn_0.7Fe₂O₄ phase particles produced to 59.08 emu/g for Mn_0.8Mn_0.2Fe₂O₄ particles.     

Microstructure characterization and magnetic behavior of NiAlxFe2−xO4 and Ni1−yMnyAl0.2Fe1.8O4 ferrites

NiAl_xFe_2−xO₄ and Ni_1−yMn_yAl_0.2Fe_1.8O₄ ferrites were prepared by the conventional ceramic method and were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and magnetic measurements. The single spinel phase was confirmed for all prepared samples. A proper explanation of data is possible if the Al³⁺ ions are assumed to replace Fe³⁺ ions in the A and B sites simultaneously for NiAl_xFe_2−xO₄ ferrites, and if the Mn²⁺ ions are assumed to replace Ni²⁺ ions in the B sites for Ni_1−yMn_yAl_0.2Fe_1.8O₄ ferrites. Microstructural factors play an important role in the magnetic behavior of Ni_1−yMn_yAl_0.2Fe_1.8O₄ ferrites with large Mn²⁺ content.     

Magnetic properties of the Ce2Fe17−xMnx helical magnets up to high magnetic fields

Magnetic properties of the Ce₂Fe_17−xMn_x, x=0–2, alloys in magnetic fields up to 40 T are reported. The compounds with x=0.5–1 are helical antiferromagnets and those with 1<x?2 are helical ferromagnets or helical antiferromagnets at low and high T, respectively. Mn ions in the system carry average magnetic moment of 3.0±0.2 μ_B that couple antiparallelly to the Fe moments. Easy-plane magnetic anisotropy in the Ce₂Fe_17−xMn_x compounds weakens upon substitution of Mn for Fe. The absolute value of the first anisotropy constant in the Ce₂Fe_17−xMn_x helical ferromagnets decreases slower with increasing temperature than that calculated from the third power of the spontaneous magnetization. Noticeable magnetic hysteresis in the Ce₂Fe_17−xMn_x, x=0.5–2, helical magnets over the whole range of magnetic fields reflects mainly irreversible deformation of the helical magnetic structure during the magnetization of the compounds. A contribution from short-range order (SRO) magnetic clusters to the magnetic hysteresis of the helical magnets has been also estimated.     

Magnetoresistive properties of Zn1−xCoxFe2O4 ferrites

The magnetic and magnetoresistive properties of spinel-type Zn_1−xCo_xFe₂O₄ (x=0, 0.2 and 0.4) ferrites are extensively investigated in this study. A large negative magnetoresistance (MR) effect is observed in Zn_1−xCo_xFe₂O₄ ferrites of spinel structure. These materials are either ferrimagnetic or paramagnetic at room temperature, and show a spin-(cluster) glass transition at low temperatures, depending on the chemical compositions. The MR curves as a function of magnetic fields, MR(H), are parabolic at all temperatures for paramagnetic polycrystalline ZnFe₂O₄. The MR for ZnFe₂O₄ at 110 K in the presence of 9 T applied magnetic field is 30%. On the other hand, MR(H) are linear for x=0.2 and 0.4 ferrimagnetic Zn_1−xCo_xFe₂O₄ samples up to 9 T. The MR effect is independent of the sintering temperatures, and can be explained with the help of the spin-dependent scattering and the Yafet–Kittel angle of Zn_1−xCo_xFe₂O₄ mixed ferrites.     

Structural and magnetic properties of Co1−xZnxFe2O4 nanoparticles by co-precipitation method

Co_1−xZn_xFe₂O₄ nanoparticles were prepared by co-precipitation method with x varying from 0 to 1.0. The powder samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The average crystallite sizes of the particles were determined from XRD. X-ray analysis showed that the samples were cubic spinel. The average crystallite size (D_aveXR) of the particles precipitated was found to vary from 6.92 to 12.02 nm decreasing with the increase in zinc substitution. The lattice constant (a_o) increased with the increase in zinc substitution. The specific saturation magnetization (M_S) of the particles was measured at room temperature. The magnetic parameters such as M_S, H_c, and M_r were found to decrease with the increase in zinc substitution. FTIR spectra of the Co_1−xZn_xFe₂O₄ with x varying from 0 to 1.0 in the range 400–4000 cm⁻¹ were reported. The spinel structure and the crystalline water adsorption of Co_1−xZn_xFe₂O₄ nanoparticles were studied by using FTIR.     

Monodispersed nanocrystalline Co1–xZnxFe2O4 particles by forced hydrolysis: Synthesis and characterization

Zinc-substituted cobalt ferrites, Co_1–xZn_xFe₂O₄, were for the first time successfully prepared by forced hydrolysis method. The obtained materials are single phase, monodispersed nanocrystalline with an average grain size of about 3 nm. These materials are superparamagnetic at room temperature and ferrimagnetic at temperature lower than the blocking temperature. When the zinc substitution increases from x=0 to 0.4, at 4.2 K, the saturation magnetization increases from 72.1 to 99.7 emu/g. The high saturation magnetization of these samples suggests that this method is suitable for preparing high-quality nanocrystalline magnetic ferrites for practical applications.     

Optical properties and mechanical characteristics of transparent nanostructured Zn1−xMnxO thin films

Uniform and transparent thin films of Zn_1−xMn_xO (0?x?0.10) were fabricated by a sol-gel spin coating method. XRD results indicated the hexagonal structure of ZnO as the primary phase at all concentrations (x) of Mn. However, at x?0.035, Mn₃O₄ (tetragonal) is observed as the secondary phase, which was confirmed by selected-area electron diffraction patterns. SEM and TEM results showed a tendency of grains to arrange into wire-shaped morphologies, leading to elongated needle-like structures at high Mn addition. Increasing Mn content in the range 0?x?0.10 led to quenching of photoluminescence, increase in the band gap (E_g) from 3.27 to 3.33 eV, and increase in film thickness, refractive index and extinction coefficient of Zn_1−xMn_xO thin films. The residual stress evaluated was compressive in all cases and found to increase by an order of magnitude with addition of Mn. Furthermore, an overall increase in microhardness and yield strength of Zn_1−xMn_xO thin films at higher Mn concentrations is attributed to change in microstructures, presence of secondary phase and increase in film thickness.     

The effect of B2O3 addition to the microstructure and magnetic properties of Ni0.4Zn0.6Fe2O4 ferrite

The effects of 0.01 and 0.1 mol B₂O₃ addition to the microstructure and magnetic properties of a Ni–Zn ferrite composition expressed by a molecular formula of Ni_0.4Zn_0.6Fe₂O₄ were investigated. The toroid-shaped samples prepared by pressing the milled raw materials used in the preparation of the composition were sintered in the range of 1000–1300 °C. The addition of 0.01 mol B₂O₃ increased the grain growth and densification giving rise to reduced intergranular and intragranular porosity due to liquid-phase sintering. The sintered toroid sample at 1300 °C gave the optimum magnetic properties of B_r=170 mT, H_c=0.025 kA/m and a high initial permeability value of μ_i=4000. The increment of the B₂O₃ content to 0.1 mol resulted in a pronounced grain growth and also gave rise to large porosity due to the evaporation of B₂O₃ at higher sintering temperatures. Hence, it resulted in an air-gap effect in the hysteresis curves of these samples.     

Room-temperature ferromagnetism in Sn1−xMnxO2 nanocrystalline thin films prepared by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis

Sn_1−xMn_xO₂ (x=0.01-0.05) thin films were synthesized on quartz substrate using an inexpensive ultrasonic spray pyrolysis technique. The influence of doping concentration and substrate temperature on structural and magnetic properties of Sn_1−xMn_xO₂ thin films was systematically investigated. X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies of these films reflect that the Mn³⁺ ions have substituted Sn⁴⁺ ions without changing the tetragonal rutile structure of pure SnO₂. A linear increase in c-axis lattice constant has been observed with corresponding increase in Mn concentration. No impurity phase was detected in XRD patterns even after doping 5 at% of Mn. A systematic change in magnetic behavior from ferromagnetic to paramagnetic was observed with increase in substrate temperature from 500 to 700 °C for Sn_1−xMn_xO₂ (x=0.01) films. Magnetic studies reveal room-temperature ferromagnetism (RTFM) with 3.61×10⁻⁴ emu saturation magnetization and 92 Oe coercivity in case of Sn_1−xMn_xO₂ (x=0.01) films deposited at 500 °C. However, paramagnetic behavior was observed for the films deposited at a higher substrate temperature of 700 °C. The presence of room-temperature ferromagnetism in these films was observed to have an intrinsic origin and could be obtained by controlling the substrate temperature and Mn doping concentration.     

Electrochemical behavior of Li intercalation processes into a Li[NixLi(1/3−2x/3)Mn(2/3−x/3)]O2 cathode

Li[Ni_xLi_(1/3−2x/3)Mn_(2/3−x/3)]O₂ (X=0.17, 0.25, 0.33, 0.5) compounds are prepared by a simple combustion method. The Rietvelt analysis shows that these compounds could be classified as having the α-NaFeO₂ structure. The initial charge-discharge and irreversible capacity increases with the decrease of x in Li[Ni_xLi_(1/3−2x/3)Mn_(2/3−x/3)]O₂. Indeed, Li[Ni_0.50Mn_0.50]O₂ compound shows relatively low initial discharge capacity of 200 mAh/g and large capacity loss during cycling, with Li[Ni_0.17Li_0.22Mn_0.61]O₂ and Li[Ni_0.25Li_0.17Mn₀.₅₈]O₂ compounds exhibit high initial discharge capacity over 245 mAh/g and stable cycle performance in the voltage range of 4.8 -2.0 V. On the other hand, XANES analysis shows that the oxidation state of Ni ion reversibly changes between Ni²⁺ and about Ni³⁺, while the oxidation state of Mn ion sustains Mn⁴⁺ during charge-discharge process. This result does not agree with the previously reported ‘electrochemistry model’ of Li[Ni_xLi_(1/3−2x/3)Mn_(2/3−x/3)]O₂, in which Ni ion changes between Ni²⁺ and NI⁴⁺. Based on these results, we modified oxidation-state change of Mn and Ni ion during charge-discharge process.