Detailed crystal structure analysis of Ce doped ZnFe2O4 ferrite using Rietveld method based on neutron diffraction data

Abstract

The Ce doped ZnFe2O4 (ZCFO) polycrystalline spinel compound was synthesized by the solid reaction method using the high energy milling (HEM) apparatus. Measurement of the neutron diffraction patterns is carried out at room temperature using a high-resolution powder neutron diffractometer (HRPD), wavelength λ = 1.8213 Å. The measured neutron diffraction data were analyzed by the Rietveld method utilizing the FullProf analysis code. The results of the neutron diffraction pattern refinement revealed that the sample has a cubic symmetry and space group of Fd-3m, and F-1 for nuclear-, and magnetic phase, respectively. Without partial substitution of Fe3+ ions by Ce3+ ions, ZnFe2O4 is a normal spinel, (Zn2+)[Fe23+]O42−, where the A-site is occupied only by the Zn2+ ions, and the B-site is occupied by the Fe3+ ions. With the substitution of Fe3+ ions by 0.01 mol Ce3+ ions, ZnFe2O4 turns into a mixed spinel structure (Fe0.233+Ce0.243+Zn0.242+)[Fe0.633+Ce0.123+Zn0.102+]O3.082−. The ZCFO net magnetic moment of m = 1.7(1) μB is found, both when the B-O-B interaction is assumed to be ferromagnetic or antiferromagnetic.