A Comparative Study on the Effect of Different Sintering Temperatures on Structural and Magnetic Properties of Mg–Zn Ferrite Nanoparticles

Abstract

The current study involved the synthesis of magnesium zinc ferrite (Mg0.8Zn0.2Fe1.4Al0.6O4) using the sol–gel method. Various techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), and radiofrequency (RF) induction were utilized to analyze the properties of the synthesized ferrite nanoparticles. The objective was to examine how different sintering temperatures affected the structural and magnetic characteristics of Mg0.8Zn0.2Fe1.4Al0.6O4. The XRD analysis confirmed the presence of a well-defined single phase crystalline structure with a spinel arrangement. Increasing the annealing temperature resulted in larger nanoparticles, ranging from 28.38 nm to 30.14 nm. SEM provided information about the morphology, agglomeration, and grain size of the ferrite, revealing a grain size ranging from 326 nm to 485 nm. The FTIR spectroscopy indicated a single-phase spinel structure for the prepared sample. The magnetic properties of the sample were evaluated using VSM, showing a maximum magnetization of 45.6 emu/gm and the least coercivity of 90 Oe at an annealing temperature of 900 °C. RF induction at a frequency of 108 kHz exhibited superior results for the sample annealed at 900 °C compared to those annealed at 700 °C and 800 °C. At this frequency, the specific absorption rate (SAR) value was high, making it suitable for magnetic hyperthermia applications. The prepared magnesium zinc ferrite demonstrated suitability for both low and high frequency devices, and it could be employed in various technological applications, including microwave devices, inductor cores, transformers, and other electronic devices.