Structural and magnetic characterization of Co2+ substituted nano structured Copper-Zinc spinel ferrite

Abstract

Nano particles of Cu0.61-xCoxZn0.39Fe2O4 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5) synthesized through sol-gel auto combustion method. Nitrates of elements and citric acid are used as starting materials. X-ray Diffraction, Thermo Gravimetric Analysis and Vibrating Sample Magnetometer are used to analyze the properties. Effect of variation in the Co substitution and its impact on particle size, lattice constant, density, cation distribution, ferritization temperature, associated water content, magnetic properties like saturation magnetization(MS), coercivity(HC) and remanent magnetization(Mr) is observed. Lattice parameter increases with increasing Co+2 concentration whereas X-ray density, bulk density decreases with the Co+2 content. In Cation distribution the Co and Cu ion show preference towards octahedral B-site, Zn occupy A site whereas Fe occupy both A and B site. Cation redistribution takes place for x > 0.3. Saturation magnetization increases from (x ≤ 0.3). For x > 0.3, Ms decreases suggesting that significant canting exists at B site. However, coercivity, magnetocrystalline anisotropy and remanant magnetization increases with the Co2+ substitution.