Microstructure, electromagnetic and dielectric properties of zinc substituted lithium ferrites prepared by radiation-thermal heating

Abstract

Polycrystalline zinc substituted lithium ferrites (lithium–zinc ferrites) with the chemical formula Li0.4Fe2.4Zn0.2O4 were prepared by heating the mixture using a high-energy beam of electrons accelerated to energy of 2.4MeV. The sintering temperature and time were 1100°C and 2h, respectively. The microstructure of the samples was investigated by XRD and SEM analyses, and the density and porosity were determined by hydrostatic weighing. The magnetic (saturation magnetization, the Curie temperature) and dielectric (electrical conductivity, frequency dependence of the dielectric constant and dielectric loss tangent) properties for lithium–zinc ferrites were studied. The results were compared with the results obtained for the samples prepared for the samples in compact pallets form by conventional ceramic technology through heating the mixture in a resistance furnace. The XRD analysis confirmed the formation of the spinel structure of the produced ferrite samples. The results of the study show that the samples sintered using radiation-thermal heating exhibit a higher density and less porosity. These samples are characterized by lower electrical resistivity, higher dielectric losses and high saturation magnetization.