Effect of Cadmium Substitution on Structural and Magnetic Properties of Nano Sized Nickel Ferrite

The structure and crystal phase of the nanocrystalline powders of Ni_1-xCd_xFe₂O₄ (0≤x≤0.5) mixed ferrite, synthesized by wet chemical co-precipitation method, were characterized by X-ray diffraction. Results showed that the lattice parameter increased with increasing Cd concentration. Microstructure was studied by scanning electron microscopy. TG/DTA stud-ies were carried out on co-precipitated sulphate complexes. These studies revealed the low ferritization temperature (650 oC) of the ferrite system synthesized by presently adopted route of synthesis and occurrence of simultaneous decomposition and ferritization processes.Further studies by infrared spectroscopy were also conducted. Moreover, magnetic properties of the prepared nanoparticles were studied by magnetization and a.c. susceptibility mea-surements. The response of prepared Ni_1-xCd_xFe₂O₄ mixed ferrites to magnetic field was investigated. Results show that, magnetic susceptibility, Curie temperature, and effective magnetic moment decreased as the Cd content increases.