Structural, electrical, and magnetic properties of Zn substituted magnesium ferrite

Zinc substituted magnesium (Mg–Zn) ferrites with the general formula Mg1−xZnxFe2O4 (x=0.00, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1.00) were prepared using the solution combustion route. The dried powder after calcination (700 °C for 2 h) was compacted and sintered at 1050 °C for 3 h. The structural, morphological, dielectric and magnetic properties of the sintered ferrites were studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), impedance spectroscopy, and vibration sample magnetometry (VSM). The XRD analysis of sintered samples confirmed that the expected spinel cubic phase was formed for all samples. The crystallite sizes evaluated using Scherre's formula were found to be in the range of 47–80 nm. SEM analysis showed homogeneous grains with a polyhedral structure. The electrical conductivity increased with increasing frequency, which is normal dielectric behavior for such materials. The dielectric constant, dielectric loss tangent, and AC conductivity were found to be lowest for x=0.50. The VSM results showed that the zinc concentration had a significant influence on the saturation magnetization and coercivity.