Structural and magnetic properties of Co1−xZnxFe2O4 nanoparticles by co-precipitation method

Co1−xZnxFe2O4 nanoparticles were prepared by co-precipitation method with x varying from 0 to 1.0. The powder samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The average crystallite sizes of the particles were determined from XRD. X-ray analysis showed that the samples were cubic spinel. The average crystallite size (DaveXR) of the particles precipitated was found to vary from 6.92 to 12.02 nm decreasing with the increase in zinc substitution. The lattice constant (ao) increased with the increase in zinc substitution. The specific saturation magnetization (MS) of the particles was measured at room temperature. The magnetic parameters such as MS, Hc, and Mr were found to decrease with the increase in zinc substitution. FTIR spectra of the Co1−xZnxFe2O4 with x varying from 0 to 1.0 in the range 400–4000 cm−1 were reported. The spinel structure and the crystalline water adsorption of Co1−xZnxFe2O4 nanoparticles were studied by using FTIR.