Sintering temperature reflected cation distribution of Zn2+ substituted CoFe2O4

Abstract

The most remarkable effect in spinel ferrites is the strong dependence of properties on the state of structural disorder and, in particular, on the cation distribution. The structural characterization of a Co-Zn ferrite nanoparticle sample was reported which prepared by wet chemical co-precipitation method. The samples were sintered at three different temperatures viz. 650 °C, 850 °C and 1 050 °C for 12 h. The structural details like: lattice constant and distribution of cations in the tetrahedral and octahedral interstitial voids have been deduced through X-ray diffraction (XRD) data analysis. Lattice constant was found to increase with the increase in Zn2+ ions and sintering temperature. Theoretical intensity ratios of (220), (400), (440) planes were considered, as these reflections are sensitive to cations on the A and B sites. Close agreement of the theoretical intensity ratio with the intensity ratio observed from XRD pattern supports the occupancy of Zn2+ ions and Co2+ ions on the octahedral and tetrahedral sites, respectively.