Effect of Mn substitution on the microstructure and magnetic properties of Ni0.50−xZn0.50−xMn2xFe2O4 ferrite prepared by the citrate–nitrate precursor method

Ni0.50−xZn0.50−xMn2xFe2O4 ferrites (with x values ranging from 0.00 to 0.15 in steps of 0.05) were synthesized by the nitrate–citrate precursor method. Their microstructure and magnetic properties were studied as a function of the Mn2+ content. Phase formation was characterized by the X-ray diffraction method (XRD), and the microstructure was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The density of sintered bodies was measured by the Archimedes method, while the magnetic properties were investigated by magnetic hysteresisgraphy. All the ferrite samples displayed the low-coercive forces (Hc) characteristic of soft magnetic materials. The results indicated that Mn substitution increases induction magnetization (Bm) and remanent magnetization (Br). The lattice parameter was found to increase with increasing Mn substitution. The addition of Mn enhanced the material's densification, resulting in a maximum density of 4.52 g cm−3. Efforts should be made to develop denser microstructures in order to improve the physical properties of Mn-substituted NiZn ferrites.