Proficient magnesium nanoferrites: synthesis and characterization

Abstract

Ferrite materials are potential candidates for modern technological applications because of their tunable electrical and magnetic properties. The excellent combination of magnetic and dielectric properties of magnesium ferrites can be used to fulfill the future demand for high-frequency applications such as antennas. The electrical transport properties of these materials depend on the synthesis conditions such as sintering and composition. The aim of this work has been to correlate the synthesis conditions and induced electrical transport properties, so that these materials prepared in optimized conditions can be used for the miniaturization of high-frequency application devices. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of samples prepared by the co-precipitation method confirmed the formation of a single spinel phase. The crystallite size, lattice parameters and porosity of the samples were calculated from XRD data. The scanning electron microscopy results showed the formation of rods in the case of the samples sintered at 950 °C. All the electrical and dielectric properties showed strong dependence on structural properties. The dielectric constant, dielectric loss tangent and ac electrical conductivity of nanocrystalline Mg ferrites were investigated as a function of frequency and sintering temperature. Dielectric, ac electrical properties and the effect of sintering temperature are explained in accordance with the Maxwell–Wagner and the Koops models.