Structural and magnetic properties of Cr-Zn nanoferrites synthesized by chemical co-precipitation method

Abstract

Chromium-doped zinc ferrite nanoparticles with the general formula CryZnFe2-yO4 (y = 0, 0.025, 0.05, 0.075, and 0.1) were synthesized by a surfactant-assisted chemical co-precipitation route using metal nitrate salt precursors. The phase purity and structural parameters were determined by powder X-ray diffraction. The concentration of Cr3+ doped into ZnFe2O4 (ZF) noticeably affected the crystallite size, which was in the range of 22 nm to 36 nm, and all samples showed a single cubic spinel structure without any secondary phase or impurities. The lattice parameter, X-ray density, and skeletal density increased with an increase in the Cr-doping concentration; on the other hand, a decreasing trend was observed for the particle size and porosity. The influence of Cr3+ substitution on ZF magnetic properties were studied under an applied field of 15 kOe. The overall results revealed that the incorporation of a small amount of Cr dopant changed the structural, electrical, and magnetic properties of ZF.