Effects of La3+ doping on MnZn ferrite nanoscale particles synthesized by hydrothermal method

Abstract

MnZn ferrite nanoscale particles were synthesized by hydrothermal method. The effects of amount of addition La3+ on the products were discussed. The product was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The results show that the sample with 0.2% La3+ (mass fraction) or without La3+ has only spinel phase, but the sample with mass fraction of La3+ exceeding 0.4% posses second phase besides the spinel one; and the nano-MnZn ferrites change from cube to hexagon when the mass fractions of La3+ is up to 1.2%. TEM image of the sample with 1.2% La3+ indicates that the homogeneous hexagonal crystal is obtained and the particles are larger than those of undoped; the addition of La3+ has great influence on the crystallization of hydrothermal process and can change the shape of particles and improve their growth. The saturation magnetization of the sample with 1.2% La3+ (2.64 A · m2 · kg−1) is lower than that of undoped (17.54 A · m2 · kg−1) and it behaves superparamagnetically.