Structural and Magnetic Study of Zr4+ Substituted Magnesium Ferrite Nano-particles

Abstract

Nano-sized Zr-Al doped magnesium ferrites with nominal composition, Mg (1+x)Zrx (FeAl)1-xO4 (x = 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8) were synthesized using sol-gel auto combustion. The structural study of the synthesized iron oxide samples werecarried out by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The XRD analysis confirmed face centered cubic structure forall the compositions of Mg(1+x)Zrx(FeAl)1-xO4nanocrystallites. The variation in lattice parameter as determined by XRD data agreed with variation of ionic radii of host cations Zr4+ and Al3+. Characterized spinel nano-ferrites were evaluated for their potential applications by magnetic hysteresis loops. Value of saturation magnetization (Ms) goes on increased up to x = 0.8 with fluctuations in between x = 0.2 to x = 0.8. The values of Ms of some compositions predicted the potential applications in field of hyperthermia, recording media and microwave devices.