Synthesis of NiZn ferrite-silica nanocomposites with a novel watermelon-like structure

NiZn ferrite/silica nanocomposites with a novel watermelon-like structure were first synthesized by two-step microemulsion process. Using two separate steps allows the great flexibility to choose the core with the desired magnetic response. TEM shows that the NiZn ferrite nanoparticles are homogeneously dispersed in spheral nanosized silica matrix. Magnetic measurement reveals that dispersing the ferrite nanoparticles in silica matrix has some effect on magnetic behavior. The blocking temperature decreases upon SiO2 coating.