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.