Exploring the structural, magnetic and magnetothermal properties of (CoFe2O4)x/(Ni0.8Zn0.2Fe2O4)1-x nanocomposite ferrites

Abstract

The hard ferrite (CoFe2O4), soft ferrite (Ni0.8Zn0.2Fe2O4) and composite ferrite (CoFe2O4)x/(Ni0.8Zn0.2Fe2O4)1-x (hard/soft ferrite) with x = 0.2,0.4,0.6,0.8 were synthesized by sol-gel auto combustion method. X- Ray Diffraction analysis revealed the formation of the phases. The cubic structures of the samples were confirmed. The thermal analysis done using TGA/DSC confirmed the temperature of phase formation. The FTIR spectroscopy data for the samples were used to confirm the formation of functional groups and successful synthesis of the ferrites. The as-synthesized samples were characterized by SEM confirmed the overlapping spherical particles and elemental mapping was done with EDS. The FESEM and TEM analysis were done for the sample showing enhanced property of magnetic hyperthermia. The saturation magnetization (Ms), Coercivity (Hc) and the remanent magnetization (Mr) of the samples were studied using Vibrating Sample Magnetometry. The surface charge of the particles when dispersed in DI water was examined using Zeta potential measurement. Finally, we analysed the heating characteristics of the samples in an alternating magnetic field of frequency 350 kHz and field amplitude of 50 Oe. It has been concluded that the magnetic properties depend on the concentration of soft and hard ferrite in the samples and magnetic heating efficiency depends on the composition of the samples.