Influence of addition of Al sub(3+) on the structural and solid state properties of nanosized Ni-Zn ferrites synthesized using malic acid as a novel fuel

Abstract

In this work, the synthesis of Ni sub(0.7) Zn sub(0.3) Fe sub(2-x) Al sub(x) O sub(4) (x=0.0-0.6) nanoferrites by combustion method using malic acid as a novel fuel is being reported for the first time. The structural analysis of the nanosized ferrites was carried out by using XRD and IR studies. The cation distribution of all the ferrites was predicted using the Rietveld refinement data and was well supported by the Mossbauer analysis. The XRD parameters were calculated using this predicted cation distribution. The theoretical lattice constant matched exactly with the lattice constant obtained from the Rietveld refinement confirming the predicted cation distribution. The morphology of all the ferrites was studied using the SEM microscopy from which the particle size distribution was calculated along with the EDS mapping which confirmed the presence of all the constituent elements in all the ferrite samples. The dielectric properties of all the ferrites as a function of frequency as well as temperature were studied. The influence of substitution of magnetic Fe sup(3+) by non-magnetic Al sup(3+) in the ferrite series was also studied. It was observed that the addition of non-magnetic Al sup(3+) in ferrites decreases the lattice parameter, density, saturation magnetization, and the Curie temperature. The FC-ZFC magnetization curve revealed a decrease in blocking temperature (TB) with an increase in Al sup(3+) concentration in Ni sub(0.7) Zn sub(0.3) Fe sub(2-x) Al sub(x) O sub(4).