The Magneto-mechanical Properties of Cobalt Substituted Mg-Zn Nanoferrites

Abstract

Despite increasing solicitude in magnesium-zinc ferrites as advanced ceramics, there is still much uncertainty regarding their mechanical and magnetic properties. Precursors Co2+ ions substituted magnesium zinc spinel ferrites with chemical formula Mg0.8Zn0.2-xCoxFe2O4; (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.2) (MZCFO) were scrutinized. XRD patterns confirmed the formation of the spinel structure for all MZCFO nanoferrites with no traces of any secondary phases. An excellent correlation is between the structural, mechanical, and magnetic theoretical and experimental results; supporting the validity of cation distribution. The experimental lattice parameter of MZCFO is found in the range 8.3893–8.3803 A, and the theoretical one is found in the range 8.3882–8.3833 A. The average crystallite size is calculated using the two methods (Debye–Scherrer and Williamson–Hall), which was found in the range ~15–50 nm, to confirm the nanocrystalline nature of all MZCFO ferrites. The FE-SEM micrographs illustrate the nanoferrite morphology exhibiting rocky-shaped particles with variable pore size. The HR-TEM micrographs of the as-prepared nanoferrites reveal agglomerated round-shaped nanoferrite particles. EDX spectra reveal the presence of all chemical elements, and SAED micrographs confirm the polycrystalline nanosized nature of MZCFO samples. Also, FTIR analysis affirmed the spinel structure by exhibiting the distinctive vibrational band of the ferrite bonds. Experimental and theoretical elastic moduli (bulk (B), rigidity (G), Young (E)) besides Poisson ratio (σ) and Debye temperature (ϴD) of MZCFO nanoferrites were investigated. The bond length is the main reason for the insignificant variation in the elastic moduli of MZCFO with further cobalt substitution. Cation distribution is the main reason for the nanoferrite Mg0.8Zn0.12Co0.08Fe2O4 (x = 0.08) to have the highest MS value (40 emu/g) and the exceptional level of flexibility obtained for the mechanical properties. The coercivity exhibits an increasing demeanor with Co2+ substitution (HC = 569.35 at x = 0.2), which is correlated to the strong magnetic anisotropy property of Co2+ species in B sites. These advantages can initiate a considerable attention in implementing this ferrite in applications such as high-density magnetic recording, loudspeakers, and sensors.