Structural and magnetic properties of Co–Cd–Zn spinel ferrite nanoparticles synthesized through micro-emulsion method.

The spinel ferrites Co0.3Cd0.7Zn1.5xFe2−xO4 were synthesized via microemulsion method. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was employed to find annealing temperature. Crystallite size, lattice constant, cell volume, x-ray density, bulk density, dislocation density, micro strain, lattice strain and stacking faults were calculated by x-ray diffraction (XRD) data. XRD analyses confirmed the spinel structure. The observed frequency bands were analyzed through Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) which confirmed that the substitution of zinc occupy the tetra and octahedral sites. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) showed the spherical shape, spinel ferrites with high surface area to volume ratio. The shift in diamagnetic to ferromagnetic behavior was observed with increasing zinc concentration through vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The magnetic results indicate that the best application for the prepared spinel ferrites can be obtained at high concentration of zinc substitution with an iron deficiency which can be used as sensors and high storage magnetic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]