Structural,morphological and magnetic properties of nano-crystalline zinc substituted cobalt ferrite system

Nano-crystalline zinc-substituted cobalt ferrite powders, Co_1−xZn_xFe₂O₄ (x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1), have been synthesized by the combustion route. The structural, morphological and magnetic properties of the products were determined and characterized in detail by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). X-ray analysis showed that the samples were cubic spinel. The increase in zinc concentration resulted in an increase in the lattice constant, unit cell volume, X-ray density, ionic radii, the distance between the magnetic ions and bond lengths on tetrahedral sites and octahedral sites of cubic spinel structure. Opposite behavior was observed for the average crystallite size of the as synthesized solids. The variation of saturation magnetization (M_s) value of the samples was studied. The maximum saturation magnetization value of the Co_o.25Zn_0.75Fe₂O₄ sample reached 76.87 emu/g. The high saturation magnetization of these samples suggests that this method is suitable for preparing high-quality nano-crystalline magnetic ferrites for practical applications.     

Synthesis and characterization of pure and Li2O doped ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles via glycine assisted route

Nanoparticles of zincl ferrite have been synthesized by the combustion method and the effect of lithia doping on their structural, morphological and magnetic properties have been studied in detail. The samples were characterized by IR, XRD, SEM, TEM and VEM. The powder XRD patterns confirm the single phase spinel structure for the synthesized materials. Transmission electron microscopy analysis revealed spherical Zn-ferrite particles with a narrow size distribution. 0.69 wt% Li₂O-doping results in a decrease of the magnetization and increase of coercivity of the nanoparticles. This observation implies that, besides size, doping causes also significant structural rearrangements which in turn induce changes in the strength and the number of Fe³⁺(A)–O–Fe³⁺(B) superexchange interactions.     

Effect of composition on structural and magnetic properties of nanocrystalline Ni0.8−xZn0.2MgxFe2O4 ferrite

Nanocrystalline magnetic particles of Ni_0.8−xZn_0.2Mg_xFe₂O₄ ferrites with x lying between 0.0 and 0.8 were synthesized using metal nitrates and freshly extracted egg-white. The synthesized powders were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). With increasing magnesium concentration, the lattice constant increases while X-ray density decreases. The average crystallite size determined from XRD data using Scherrer formula lie in the range of 35–59 nm. TEM image shows spherically agglomerated particles with average crystallite size agreed well with that obtained from XRD. Magnetic properties measured at room temperature by vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) reveal a decrease in saturation magnetization up to Mg content of 0.6. In agreement with FT-IR results, the unexpected increase in the magnetization at Mg content of 0.8 can be attributed to the tendency of Mg²⁺ ions to occupy the tetrahedral site. The decrease in the value of coercivity with increasing magnesium content can be explained based on the magneto-crystalline anisotropy.     

Structural,textural, morphological,magnetic and electromagnetic study of Cu-doped NiZn ferrite synthesized by pilot-scale combustion for RAM application

The synthesis of the Ni_0.5-xZn_0.5-xCu_2xFe₂O₄ (x = 0; 0.10 and 0.15) ferrite with the differential of pilot-scale production by the combustion reaction method was investigated for RAM application purposes. Combustion temperatures ranging from 682 °C to 738 °C were observed. All ferrites were sintered at 1200 °C for 1 h. A comprehensive study of the influence of substitution with Cu²⁺ in a partial and proportional way to the Ni²⁺ and Zn²⁺ ions, doping mode little reported in the literature, and also of the sintering process over the structural, textural, morphological, magnetic and electromagnetic properties of NiZnCu ferrites was performed. The XRD patterns of the ferrites as synthesized revealed the formation of the cubic structure of the inverse spinel as majoritary phase, and traces of hematite and zinc oxide as segregated phases. After sintering, it was proven the single-phase formation of cubic spinel ferrite structure. The introduction of Cu led to a reduction in the lattice parameter, whose values ranged from 8.337 to 8.385 Å. The EDX results confirm the composition of oxides. The textural and morphological analyses confirmed the densest characteristic, with increase of particle size and reducing of surface area and pore volume after Cu-doping. All ferrites showed characteristics of soft ferrimagnetic material, where the increase in Cu content contributed to a slight reduction in saturation magnetization, whose values were of ~22–29 emu/g for the as synthesized ferrites and ~71–85 emu/g for the sintered ones. The best result of electromagnetic absorption in X-band was presented by the sintered ferrite with 0.3 mol of Cu, reaching an attenuation of 99.8% at 11.5 GHz frequency, thus confirming the efficiency of the pilot-scale combustion synthesis in obtaining a ferrite with great potential for RAM application.     

Enhanced magnetism in electrodeposited-based CoNi composites containing high percentage of micron hard-magnetic particles

CoNi–barium ferrite magnetic composites with a high percentage of micrometric particles have been prepared by electrodeposition over silicon-based substrates. A cationic surfactant synthesized in our laboratory (4-ethylazobenzene-4′-(oxyethyl)trimethylammonium iodide-AZTMAI) has been used in order to favour the inclusion of magnetic particles into the alloy deposit. This surfactant reduces during cobalt–nickel electrodeposition and it is not embedded into the deposit. Moderate surfactant concentrations (1–5 g l⁻¹), room temperature, the application of a magnetic field during the electrodeposition and a double-pulse technique favour the maximum incorporation of barium ferrite up to around 30–35 wt%. Magnetic properties of composites prepared tend to hard-magnetic ones, with different magnetization curves when silicon/seed-layer/composite samples are oriented parallel or perpendicularly to the applied magnetic field. Constricted-type magnetization curves were obtained.     

Microwave synthesis and phase transitions in nanoscale BiFeO<Subscript>3</Subscript>

Nanosized multiferroic BiFeO₃ powders were synthesized by a microwave combustion method. The average crystallite sizes of the samples stay at a same level with the ratio of fuel glycine 0.5 ≤ G/N ≤ 1.5 and it increases significantly with G/N = 2.0. An inhomogeneity of amorphous and microcrystallites is observed directly by HRTEM. A ferromagnetic hysteresis loop with a saturation magnetization (M _S) of ~0.09 μ _B /Fe has been observed at room temperature in the sample with a crystallite size of 53 nm, whereas other powders with much smaller crystallite size (~20 nm) will not saturate even at 20 kOe. These magnetic behaviors were ascribed to a combination of the magnetic enhancement effect of a decreased crystallite size and superparamagnetic mechanism.     

Fabrication, characterization and magnetic behaviour of alumina-doped zinc ferrite nano-particles

Zinc ferrite nano-powders with a nominal composition of ZnFe₂O₄ were prepared by combustion synthesis using mixture of urea and ammonium nitrate as fuel. The influence of alumina-doping on the structural, morphological and magnetic properties of ZnFe₂O₄ nano-particles was investigated by means of X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), infrared (IR) spectroscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). XRD and IR analyses confirm the cubic spinel phase of ZnFe₂O₄ nano-particles. The Zn ferrite presented a uniform microstructure with grain size in nano-scale. Alumina-doping brought about a change in the morphology of the as prepared ferrite from sphere-like to regular hexagon. Al₂O₃-treatment led to a decrease in the coercivity (H_c), magnetization (M_s) and magnetic moment (n_B) of the investigated system. The maximum decrease in the values of H_c, M_s and n_B due to the treatment with 1.5 wt% Al₂O₃ attained 13.5, 17.4 and 13.5%, respectively. The observed results can be explained on the basis of particle size and the Fe³⁺ concentration in the octahedral and tetrahedral sites involved in the cubic spinel structure.     

Obtaining of Ni<Subscript>0.65</Subscript>Zn<Subscript>0.35</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> nanoparticles at low temperature starting from metallic nitrates and polyols

This article presents a study on obtaining Ni, Zn ferrite starting from Fe(III), Ni (II), Zn (II) nitrates and some polyols: 1,2-propane diol, 1,3-propane diol and glycerol. While heating, a redox reaction takes place between nitrate anion and polyol, with formation of carboxylate type precursors. The obtained precursors have been investigated by thermal analysis, FT-IR spectrometry and atomic absorption spectroscopy. The thermal decomposition of the synthesized precursors up to 350 °C leads to the formation of Ni, Zn ferrite as unique phase, evidenced by XRD. The average diameter of the ferrite crystallites, estimated from XRD data, takes values within the range 20–50 nm, depending on the annealing temperature. Transmission Electron Microscopy has evidenced the obtaining of spherical, agglomerated nanoparticles. The magnetic properties of the synthesized samples, measured in cvasistatic magnetic field (50 Hz) are characteristic for the Ni, Zn ferrite nanoparticles, with narrow hysteresis cycle and values of the saturation magnetization <70 emu/g.     

Optimization of synthesis conditions and the study of magnetic and dielectric properties for MgFe2O4 ferrite

Nano-sized magnesium ferrites were synthesized by the sol-gel auto-combustion method using a variety of chelating/combustion agents: tartaric acid, citric acid, cellulose, glycine, urea and hexamethylenetetramine. The original purpose of this work was the synthesis of nano-sized magnesium ferrite by using, for the first time, cellulose and hexamethylenetetramine as chelating/combustion agents. Synthesized samples were subjected to different heat treatments at 773 K, 973 K and, respectively 1173 K in air. The disappearance of the organic phase and nitrate phase with the spinel structure formation was monitored by infrared absorption spectroscopy. Spinel structure, crystallite size and cation distribution were evaluated by X-ray diffraction data. The morphology of as-prepared powders was studied using scanning electron microscopy. The magnetic and dielectric properties were studied for the obtained samples.      

Magnetically active Ag–Zn nanoferrites synthesized by solution combustion route: physical chemical studies and density functional theory analysis

Nanoparticles with mixed compositions, particularly spinel ferrites with magnetic activity, have arisen as contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic hyperthermia. For such applications, it is desirable to possess specific particle size and physicochemical properties, i.e., magnetic response, porosity, crystallinity, and so on. It is well known that controlling specific variables in the synthetic process has a dramatic effect on final product properties and behavior. Amid preparation techniques reported in the literature, low-temperature solution combustion method has shown the ability to control and direct synthesis simply and efficiently. We are presenting a study about controlling and tuning the magnetic properties and the effect of particle size modified in Ag–Zn nanoferrites with different amounts of Co and Ni as doping metals. Different combinations of Co and Ni within Ag–Zn (Ag_0.25Zn_0.5-xM_xFe_2.25O₄) nanoferrites have been synthesized using the low-temperature solution combustion technique, and this method proved to be efficient and reliable for developing homogenous, fine structured materials. X-ray diffraction confirmed that the atomic structure of prepared nanoferrites is pure and cubic, whereas electron microscopy confirmed a semispherical and monodisperse morphology with particle diameter around 20 nm. The magnetic behavior of bred materials has been explained by analyzing magnetic factors such as saturation magnetization, coercivity, and retentivity, and all experimental findings are matched with theoretical density functional theory (DFT) studies to understand the effect of each material within A and B sites in ferrite crystal cell. The observed magnetic properties highlight the superparamagnetic behavior and the effect of doping metals which is an asset in developing new materials for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. DFT modeling was achieved in an attempt to understand the effect of metal substitution in cubic ferrite cells.     

Effects of shape and size of cobalt ferrite nanostructures on their MRI contrast and thermal activation

Cobalt ferrite magnetic nanostructures were synthesized via a high temperature solution phase method. Spherical nanostructures of various sizes were synthesized with the help of seed mediated growth of the nanostructures in organic phase, while faceted irregular (FI) cobalt ferrite nanostructures were synthesized via the same method but in the presence of a magnetic field. Magnetic properties were characterized by SQUID magnetometry, relaxivity measurements and thermal activation under RF field, as a function of size and shape. The results show that the saturation magnetization of the nanostructures increases with an increase in size, and the FI nanostructures exhibit lower saturation magnetization than their spherical counterparts. The relaxivity coefficient of cobalt ferrite nanostructures increases with increase in size; while FI nanostructures show a higher relaxivity coefficient than spherical nanostructures with respect to their saturation magnetization. In the case of RF thermal activation, the specific absorption rate (SAR) of nanostructures increases with increase in the size. The contribution sheds light on the role of size and shape on important magnetic properties of the nanostructures in relation to their biomedical applications.     

Optimization of catalytic, surface and magnetic properties of nanocrystalline manganese ferrite

Single-domain manganese ferrite nanoparticles have been synthesized with narrow particle size distribution using the combustion technique. Influence of fuel ratios on the as-prepared powders were characterized by XRD, SEM, VSM, N₂ adsorption at −196 °C and conversion of cyclohexene at 200–400 °C. Ratios of fuel to cations were maintained variously at 0.0, 0.67, 1.33 and 2.67.The fuel to cations ratio of 2.67 gives better yield in the formation of nanocrystalline Mn ferrite and single-domain particles with a narrow range of size distribution. Maximum magnetization and coercivity values of the investigated ferrite are also greater for the ratio of 2.67. These values measured at room temperature are found to be 68.58 emu/g and 62.57 Oe, respectively. The BET surface area of the investigated solids was found to decrease by increasing the ratio between fuel and cations due to increasing the flame temperature. However, this treatment resulted in a significant increase in catalytic activity of the as-synthesized solids. All solids investigated behaved as dehydrogenation catalysts. The change in fuel/cations ratios did not alter the mechanism of dehydrogenation of cyclohexene, but increased the concentration of active sites involved in the catalyzed reaction.     

Preparation of Mg/Fe spinel ferrite nanoparticles from Mg/Fe-LDH microcrystallites under mild conditions

Mg/Fe spinel ferrite nanoparticles were prepared by aging Mg²⁺/Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺-LDH (layered double hydroxides) suspension at temperature below 100 °C. The yield of Mg/Fe spinel ferrite nanoparticles was dependent on the aging temperature and the molar ratio of ferrous ions in the LDH precursors. It was found that the majority of iron atoms was assembled into the lattice of spinel ferrite when the LDH precursors were aged at 95 °C for 18 h, and the formation of Mg/Fe spinel ferrite was favored with a higher molar ratio of ferrous ion in the LDH precursors. To the best knowledge of us, it is the first report on preparation of spinel ferrite under such a mild condition of below 100 °C from Mg²⁺/Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺-LDH microcrystallites.     

Structural,Magnetic, and Electrical Properties of Al3+ Substituted CuZn-ferrites

Nanocrystalline Cu_0.5Zn_0.5Fe_2-xAl_xO₂ (x=0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5) ferrite materials were synthesized using standard solid state reaction technique. The effects of Al³⁺ contents on the structural, electrical, and magnetic properties were investigated. Single phase cubic spinel structure was revealed by X-ray diffraction analysis. The crystallite size was evaluated considering the most intense diffraction peak (311) using Scherrer formula. Lattice constant decreased, whereas porosity increased with the increase in Al³⁺ concentration. The value of saturation magnetization decreased with increasing aluminum contents. Temperature dependent value of direct current electrical resistivity has been determined. It is observed that the substitution of Al³⁺ has significant impact on the dielectric constant, tangent of dielectric loss angle and dielectric loss factor. The variation in dielectric properties was attributed to space charge polarization.     

Novelty, preparation, characterization and enhancement of magnetic properties of Mn nanoferrites using safety binder (egg white)

Nanocrystalline MnFe₂O₄ ferrite was prepared by using autocombustion technique (flash). The microstructure and magnetic properties are studied. The results of XRD and TEM clarified that, this ferrite is nanosized with particle size (39 nm). Magnetic measurements showed a ferromagnetic behavior with T_C = 613 K, the saturation magnetization M_s = 13.71 emu/g, remanent magnetization M_r = 0.1694 emu/g and, coercivity H_c = 25.6 Oe. Natural material, egg white used as an aqueous medium to extend prepare nanoparticles better than other chemical interesting materials.     

Study of dielectric and ac impedance properties of citrate-gel synthesized Li0.35Zn0.3Fe2.35O4 ferrite

Nano-crystals of Li_0.35Zn_0.3Fe_2.35O₄ ferrite have been synthesized using citrate precursor method. The sample synthesized was sintered at different temperatures in order to vary their crystallite size. The average crystallite size was found in the range 24?C57?nm by varying the temperature from 300 to 1,100?°C. X-ray diffraction measurements confirmed the formation of cubic spinel structure at all the sintering temperatures in this work. The high frequency performance of the ferrite samples were estimated by measuring the frequency dispersion of the dielectric constant, dielectric loss and ac electrical conductivity. The dielectric constant has been observed to show normal behavior with frequency and decreases with the decrease in crystallite size. It is also observed that decrease in dielectric constant depends on sintering temperature because of lithium evaporation at higher temperature. A low value of dielectric constant and dielectric loss has been found, which makes them applicable for high frequency applications by decreasing the skin effect. The impedance spectroscopy technique has been used to study the effect of grain and grain boundary on the electrical properties of Li_0.35Zn_0.3Fe_2.35O₄ ferrite. The analysis of data shows only one semi-circle corresponding to the grain boundary volume suggesting that the conduction mechanism takes place predominantly through grain boundary volume in the prepared samples.     

Synthesis of multielement ferrites and their silica composites

Ferrites of composition M_0.2Co_0.4Zn_0.4Fe₂O₄ with M = Cu²⁺, Mn²⁺ and Ni²⁺ were prepared by citrate complex method. Later, their composites with silica have also been obtained by a simple route. The citrate complex precursors of multielement ferrites were characterized by FTIR spectroscopy and thermal analysis, been found a similar behavior for the three systems. The thermal treatment (at 400, 600 and 800 °C) of precursors gives, as result, the spinel type cubic ferrite pure when the ions substituted were copper and nickel; when manganese was used an hematite phase was obtained as contaminant at 800 °C. The presence of all ions involved and the particle size was corroborated by EDX analysis and measured from a TEM micrograph, respectively. The magnetic parameters related to magnetic properties, magnetization and coercivity, were different depending of the chemical composition of the ferrite and the thermal treatment temperature, as it was expected. At room temperature, the values obtained were near to those reported for Co-ferrite in bulk. The synthesis route of the composites M_0.2Co_0.4Zn_0.4Fe₂O₄-SiO₂, proposed in this work, gives as result magnetic nanoparticles in an amorphous silica matrix. Their magnetic properties were depending on weight percentage of the magnetic phase in the composite.     

Nano-crystalline Mn0.3Ni0.3Zn0.4Fe2O4 obtained by novel fumarato-hydrazinate precursor method

Carboxylate hydrazinate complex involving mixed metals have been synthesized and used as precursor for preparing the nanocrystalline Mn?CNi?CZn ferrite. Chemical composition of complex was fixed from chemical analysis results, infrared studies, thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimetric analysis and isothermal weight loss studies. Nano-crystalline Mn?CNi?CZn ferrite particles obtained by thermal autocatalytic decomposition were characterized using X-ray diffraction studies, infrared spectral studies and TEM measurement. Two peaks in the region of 340?C420 and 550?C660?cm^?1 observed in the infrared spectrum of ??as synthesized?? oxide are characteristics of spinel ferrites. Average particle size of ??as synthesized?? Mn?CNi?CZn ferrite was found to be 10?nm. ??As synthesized?? Mn?CNi?CZn ferrite showed Curie point at 313?°C. Saturation magnetization (44.7?emu/g) observed for ??as synthesized?? Mn?CNi?CZn ferrite is lower than bulk material which is indicative of its nano-crystalline nature. Seebeck coefficient measurement has shown that the material exhibits n-type semiconducting behavior.     

Structure and morphology of spinel MFe2O4 (M=Fe, Co, Ni) nanoparticles chemically synthesized from heterometallic complexes

We synthesized magnetic spinel ferrites from trimetallic single-source precursors. Fe(II), Co(II), and Ni(II) ferrite nanoparticles in the range of 9-25 nm were synthesized by solvothermal decomposition of trimetallic acetate complex precursors in benzyl ether in the presence of oleic acid and oleylamine, using 1,2-dodecanediol as the reducing agent. For comparison, spinel ferrite nanoparticles were synthesized by stoichiometric mixtures of metal acetate or acetylacetonate salts. The nanoparticles (NP) were characterized by TEM, DLS, powder XRD, and Raman spectroscopy; and their magnetic properties were characterized by ZFC-FC and M(H) measurements. The ferrite-NP were more homogeneous and had a narrower size distribution when trimetallic complexes were used as precursors. As a consequence, the magnetic properties of these ferrite-NP are closer to the aimed room temperature superparamagnetic behavior, than are those of other ferrites obtained by a mixture of salts.     

Cu–Ce substituted cobalt nano ferrite - Structural,morphological, and magnetic behavior prepared by sol-gel auto-combustion

Sol-gel auto-combustion synthesized Co_1-xCu_xFe_2-yCe_yO₄ (x = 0.0, 0.25, 0.5 and 0.75; y = 0.0, 0.03, 0.06, and 0.09), Cu–Ce substituted Co ferrite nanopowders. Investigations have been done on how Cu–Ce substitution affects the structural and magnetic characteristics. The Cu–Ce substitution variation effect on structural and magnetic properties is studied with X-ray diffraction (XRD), Field effect scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The XRD was used to identify the crystal phase, and the role of Cu–Ce substituted for Co indicates how it formed. There is no change in the crystal structure, and no additional characteristic peak linked to Cu²⁺ and Ce³⁺ ions substitution was found in the XRD. The powder was sintered at 1100 °C. The crystallite sizes were found in between 33 and 62 nm. Increasing the Cu–Ce content decreases the lattice constant and is found between 8.4044 and 8.3309 Å. The FESEM images were used to analyze the nanostructural properties. The range of 110–128 nm is the value of average grain size. Two vibrational bands can be seen in FTIR spectra at about 600 cm⁻¹ (v₁) and 400 cm⁻¹ (v₂). They are attributed to the spinel lattices A and B sites, respectively. The tetrahedral site has a greater vibrational frequency of 566.09 cm^−1, while the octahedral site has a lower vibrational frequency of 420.09 cm⁻¹. FTIR spectra show the tetrahedral stretching peaks shifting towards lower frequencies with increasing Cu²⁺ and Ce³⁺ ions content. At ambient temperature, the magnetic properties of Cu–Ce substituted cobalt ferrites revealed a strong hysteresis loop. There was a decrease in magnetic saturation and an increase in coercivity.