Thermodynamic, structural and magnetic studies of NiFe2O4 nanoparticles prepared by combustion method: Effect of fuel

Nanocrystalline NiFe2O4 samples were prepared by chemical combustion route using different fuels as polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), glycine and urea. An interpretation for the mechanism of combustion reaction based on the measurement of the adiabatic flame temperature and the amount of gases evolved during reaction had been proposed. The thermal study of the precursor gel was done by using the Thermo Gravimetric-Differential Thermal Analysis (TG-DTA). Occurrence of the cubic spinel phase for all the samples was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern. The magnetic characterization of all the samples was carried out by Quantum Design MPMS-XL instrument. The magnetic measurement showed the ferrimagnetic behaviour of all the nanoparticles while nanoparticles prepared by using urea as a fuel were found to have slightly greater crystallite size and relatively stronger A–O–B interaction compared to others.

► Combustion synthesis of nanocrystalline NiFe2O4 by using PVA, glycine and urea as a fuel.
► Mechanism of combustion reaction based on adiabatic flame temperature.
► Effect of fuel on structural and magnetic properties of NiFe2O4 nanoparticles.