Structural and magnetic investigations of sub-nano Mn-Mg ferrite prepared by wet method

Manganese-magnesium ferrite nanoparticles Mn_1−xMg_xFe₂O₄; 0≤x≤0.25 were prepared by the co-precipitation route. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), which confirms the single phase spinel structure. Crystallite size, calculated from the (3 1 1) peak using the Scherrer formula, was found to increase with increasing Mg²⁺ concentrations and was found to be within the range 3-6 nm. TEM was also used to characterize the microstructure of nanosized Mn_1−xMg_xFe₂O₄. Nominal composition of the samples was determined by Atomic Absorption analysis (AA). Hysteresis loops of manganese-magnesium ferrite were obtained at room temperature and revealed lower saturation magnetization values associated with nanocrystalline Mn_1−xMg_xFe₂O₄ particles. This behavior was attributed to structural distortion of surface spins compared to that of the bulk one.