Influence of non-magnetic Zn-doping on the structural and the magnetic properties of magnesium ferrite

Abstract

Spinel ferrites are the important class of soft magnetic material and are of interest to many researchers due to their excellent electrical and magnetic properties. Magnesium ferrite (MgFe2O4) is one such spinel ferrite with great potential technological applications. In the present study, the magnesium ferrite (Mg0.8Zn0.2Fe2O4) samples were prepared by well-known sol-gel auto-combustion method. The influence of Zn-doping on the structural and magnetic properties was investigated by X-ray diffraction and magnetization studies. The room temperature X-ray diffraction studies of the pure MgFe2O4 and Zn-doped Mg-Fe2O4 (Mg0.8Zn0.2Fe2O4) revealed the formation of single phase cubic spinel structure. The crystallite size obtained from Sherrer’s formula indicated that the Zn-doped and undoped shows nanocrystalline nature with crystallite size 22 nm and 24 nm respectively. The lattice constant (?) was found to be increased after Zn doping. Several other structural parameters are also increased after Zn doping. The magnetic properties were investigated by means of pulse field hysteresis loop technic. The M-H plot exhibits typical ferrimegnetic nature. The saturaturation magnetization increases after Zn doping. The observed magnetic behaviour of Mg0.8Zn0.2Fe2O4 nanocrystalline ferrite was on the basis of theoretical model.