Size induced inverse spins canting in CO–Zn system: Neutron diffraction and magnetic studies

Abstract Size dependent magnetic properties of Co 0.3 Zn 0.7 Fe 2 O 4 are investigated to understand the correlation between particle size and the type of magnetic ordering in the system. X-ray and neutron diffraction patterns confirm the formation of a single phase structure and indicate that the cation distribution remains unaltered with decrease in particle size. The magnetic moment calculated from neutron diffraction measurements indicates an increase in B-site magnetic moment for an intermediate size particle, indicating the “inverse spin canting” effect, i.e. decrease in B-site canting while cation distribution remains same. This is further supported by magnetization results.