Abstract
ZnCr2−xFexO4 nanoparticles with different compositions (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.8) were successfully synthesized using the microwave combustion method. The effects of Fe ions substitution with Cr ions on the spinel ZnCr2O4 structure, optical, and magnetic properties are investigated. The nanoparticles size was found to increase as a result of Fe substitution, as confirmed by the high resolution transmission electron microscope (HR-TEM) images. A reduction of the optical energy gap and a transition from paramagnetic to superparamagnetic behavior are observed with increasing Fe ratio indicating a single domain ZnCr2−xFexO4 nanoparticle. The uncompensated surface magnetic moments results in an enhancement in paramagnetic behavior compared with bulk ZnCr2O4 spinel. The saturation magnetization increases by increasing Fe ions in the spinel structure which is expected to originate from a larger surface area.
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