Effect of laser irradiation on micro-structural properties of zinc ferrite

Abstract

The Zn-ferrite (ZnxFe3-xO4) were prepared via co-precipitation of ZnCl2, FeCl3·6H2O in the presence of NaOH as a precipitating agent at 90 °C. The prepared ferrites were characterized by X-ray diffraction and particle size was investigated by Sheerer's formula. The Znferrites were irradiated by Nd:YAG laser and effect of laser radiation on micro-structural properties of Zn-ferrite were investigated. The particle size of unirradiated ferrites was ranged from 6 to 17 nm, while that of irradiated Zn-ferrites was found to be 5-53 nm. The minimum particle size for both radiated and irradiated sample was obtained at 0.4x of ZnxFe3-xO4. It was found that the electrical conductivity and average lattice constants of the irradiated samples were greater in comparison to un-irradiated samples; where as the densities of the irradiated samples are less than un-irradiated samples. Results showed that the laser irradiation can be used to enhance the microstructural properties of zinc ferrite.