Synthesis, Characterization and Properties of Nickel Based Zinc Ferrite Nanoparticles

Abstract

In the present work, a cost effective and environmentally friendly sol-gel auto-combustion technique has been used to synthesize spinel ferrite nanoparticles of Ni_xZn_1-xFe₂O₄ (x= 0.0, 0.5 and 1.0). They were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). While their magnetic properties were measured at room temperature using a Magnetic Properties Measurement System (MPMS) quantum design magnetometer, the LCR meter (PSM 1735, NumetriQ 4^th Ltd. U.K.) was used to study their dielectric properties with variable frequency in the range, 1Hz - 5 MHz. The XRD analysis suggests the presence of cubic spinel structure of ferrites with an average crystallite size of 45-79 nm. The dielectric constant and loss tangent of the samples show a normal dielectric behavior. The variation of dielectric behavior with the frequency is due to the Maxwell-Wagner type interfacial polarization and hopping of electrons between the Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ ions. The magnetic studies reveal that addition of Zn²⁺ concentration drastically affects the magnetic properties.