Interrelation between cationic distribution and electromagnetic properties of vanadium-substituted Mn–Zn ferrites

Abstract

This study manifests the outcomes of varying vanadium (V) concentration in Mn–Zn ferrites with the general composition Mn0.6Zn0.4VxFe2−xO4 (x = 0.00—0.10, in steps of 0.02) synthesized by the solid-state reaction method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of all the samples confirmed the formation of the spinel structure. The cell parameter slightly decreases with the increase in V content. The substitution of V noticeably enhanced densification in samples sintered at 1250 °C. The grain size of the starting compositions varied from 13.0 to 27.9 µm. The Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectra indicate the preference of vanadium ions at octahedral sites. The saturation magnetization (Ms) and the experimental magnetic moments nB (µB) are observed to increase for x = 0.02 with = $${M}_{\mathrm{S}}$$ 61.73 emu/g. This happens for the reduction of the A–B interaction in the AB2O4 spinel type ferrites. After that, Ms and nB (µB) values decreased for higher V contents. The magnetization obtained is explained by redistribution of cations in the tetrahedral and octahedral sites and spin canting due to weakening of exchange interaction. The magnetic permeability and dielectric constant show a decreasing trend with increasing V concentration. The Cole–Cole plots demonstrate the grain and grain boundary effects. The manifestation of single semicircle after x = 0.06 indicates the precedence of grains in the overall resistance. The complex modulus graphs were also studied to understand the mechanism of the electrical processes.