Preparation of NiFe2O4 nanopowder via EDTA precursor and study of its properties

Abstract

An ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) precursor-based chemical method is reported for preparing single-phase nickel ferrite (NiFe2O4) nanopowder. The synthesized powder was characterized by thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, particle size analysis and scanning electron microscopy. DC electrical resistivity and magnetic property of the synthesized NiFe2O4 were measured by using a two-probe method and a vibrating sample magnetometer respectively. The DC resistivity behaviour of the NiFe2O4 nanopowder was correlated with the change of microstructure, during sintering. This EDTA precursor-based method is capable of producing nanostructured single-phase NiFe2O4 powder at a comparatively low calcination temperature and offers the potential of a simple and cost-effective route, including the preparation of other ferrite nanoparticles.