Role of Mn sup(+2) ions in monitoring structural, optical, magnetic and electrical properties of manganese zinc ferrite nanoparticles

Abstract

Nanocrystalline manganese zinc ferrite powders with chemical composition Mn sub(x) Zn sub(1-x) Fe sub(2) O sub(4) were prepared using the combustion method. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique was used to confirm the phase formation. Structural parameters such as lattice constant and density showed appreciable dependence on varying manganese concentrations in the ferrite material. The structural bond analysis was achieved using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The surface morphology of nanopowders was analyzed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The particle size estimation was done using a transmission electron microscope (TEM) and was found to be in the narrow range of 15-25 nm. The dependence of saturation magnetization on manganese concentration was investigated using a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The variation of electrical properties such as dielectric constant and dielectric loss was also studied and were seen to be administered by cationic distribution at the tetrahedral and the octahedral sites in the spinel structure.