Synthesis, Structural, Electrical, Magnetic Curie Temperature and Y–K Angle Studies of Mn–Cu–Ni Mixed Spinel Nanoferrites

Abstract

Nanoferrites of composition Mn0.50Cu0.5−x Ni x Fe2O4 (0.00≤x≤0.50) are prepared by chemical coprecipitation method. The prepared nano-ferrites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), infrared spectroscopy (IR), two probe resistivity apparatus, and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) to study the compositional, structural, morphological, electrical, and magnetic properties with varying concentration (x) in the composition of the prepared nanoferrites. XRD confirmed formation of single phase spinel ferrite with crystalline size in the range of 16–29 nm. The lattice parameter (a) decreases with a decrease of Cu concentration. Further information about the structure and morphology of the nanoferrites was obtained from SEM and results are in good agreement with XRD. FTIR gives information about distribution of cations and anions by confirming the presence of high and low frequency bands due to tetrahedral and octahedral sites, respectively. The electric properties were measured and analyzed by using homemade two probe resistivity apparatus showing semiconducting behavior of synthesized ferrites. The magnetic hysteresis curves clearly indicate the soft nature of the prepared samples. Various magnetic parameters such as saturation magnetization (M s), and remanence (M r) are calculated from the hysteresis loops and observed compositional dependent. Saturation magnetization and magnetic moment increase with Ni content. This is due to the existence of localized canted spin. Coercivity and M s decreases while Y–K angles increase with Cu2+ content. The Ni2+ addition improves the magnetic properties. Curie temperature decreases with increase in Cu contents.