Microstructure and Magnetic Property of Nanostructured NiZn Ferrite Powder

Nanostructured spinel NiZn ferrites were prepared by the sol-gel method from metal nitrate raw materials. Analyses by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy showed the average particle size of NiZn ferrite was under 50 nm. The single phase of NiZn ferrites was obtained by firing at 250${\circ}C$, resulting in nanoparticles exhibiting normal ferrimagnetic behavior. The nanostructured $Ni_{1-X}Zn_XFe_2O_4$ (x=0.0∼1.0) were found to have the cubic spinel structure of which the lattice constants ${\alpha}_2$ increases linearly from 8.339 to 8.427 ${\AA}$ with increasing Zn content x, following Vegard's law, approximately. The saturation magnetization $M_s$ was 48 emu/g for x=0.4 and decreased to 8.0 emu/g for higher Zn contents suggesting the typical ferrimagnetism in mixed spinel ferrites. Pure NiZn ferrite phase substituted by Cu was observed before using the additive but hematite phase was partially appeared at $Ni_{0.2}Zn_{0.2}Cu_{0.6}Fe_2O_4$. On the other hand, the hematite phase in this NiZn Cu ferrite was disappeared after using the additive of acethyl aceton with small amount. The saturation magnetization Ms of $Ni_{0.2}Zn_{0.8-y}Cu_yFe_2O_4$(y=0.2∼0.6) as measured was about 51 emu/g at 77K and 19 emu/g at room temperature, respectively.