Structural investigation, magnetic and DC electrical resistivity properties of Co0.5-xNixZn0.5Fe2O4 nano ferrites

Abstract

The Ni2+ substituted Cobalt-Zinc nano ferrites, designated as Co0.5-xNixZn0.5Fe2O4 with x values ranging from 0.0 to 0.5, were synthesized using the sol–gel auto-combustion method. Various characterization techniques, including x-ray diffraction (XRD), field-effect scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), and DC electrical resistivity measurements, were employed to analyze the prepared samples. XRD analysis revealed a cubic spinel structure with a lattice constant ranging from 8.384 to 8.412 Å. FESEM examination indicated non-uniform-shaped spherical grains in the nanometer range for the synthesized samples. The FTIR spectra of the spinel ferrites revealed two distinctive bands, ν2 (580–592 cm−1) and ν1 (390–412 cm−1), which are the characteristics of spinel-structured ferrite nanomaterials. With progressive substitution (x varying from 0.0 to 0.5), the saturation magnetization (Ms) values exhibited a gradual decrease, starting from Ms = 60.97 emu/g (at x = 0.0) and reaching Ms = 38.79 emu/g (at x = 0.5). A discernible pattern was observed in coercivity (Hc), which rose from Hc = 115 Oe (at x = 0.0) to Hc = 920 Oe (at x = 0.5), with peak values determined through VSM analysis. Similar to semiconductors, the electrical resistivity experienced a decline with increasing temperature, indicative of a negative temperature coefficient.