Structural and electromagnetic properties of Ni–Zn ferrites prepared by sol–gel combustion method

Abstract

Ni–Zn ferrite nanoparticles with composition of Ni 1− x Zn x Fe 2O 4 (where x = 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4) were prepared by the chemical sol–gel combustion method at low temperature with a final pH value of 7. The synthesized nanopowder can be densified at a temperature lower than 950 °C. X-ray diffraction results showed that the dried gels synthesized from metal nitrates and citric acid transformed directly into nano-sized ferrite particles after a combustion process in air. The Zn content has a significant influence on the electromagnetic properties such as dielectric constant ( ɛ′), dielectric loss tangent (tan δ) and complex dielectric constant ( ɛ″). These values decrease with increasing of zinc. It is also shown that Ni–Zn powder exhibited saturation magnetization 73 emu g −1 at 950 °C.