Preparation and magnetic property investigation of a nickel spinel ferrite-coated tetrapod-like ZnO composite

► We prepared the nickel spinel ferrite-coated tetrapod-like ZnO composite by chemical co-precipitation method. ► We characterized the composite and its calcination process and studied its magnetic properties. ► The dependence of nanostructure stability and magnetic properties of the composite on calcination temperature is associated with the doping of Zn2+ ions.