Structural characterization and magnetization of Mg0.7Zn0.3SmxFe2−xO4 ferrites

Mg0.7Zn0.3SmxFe2−xO4 ferrites were prepared by the solid-state reaction method and were characterized by X-ray diffraction and magnetization measurements. A single spinel phase was obtained in the range 0.00⩽x⩽0.030.00⩽x⩽0.03. The lattice parameter was found to increase at x=0.01x=0.01 and then decreases up to x=0.03x=0.03, which may indicate a distortion in the spinel lattice. The saturation magnetization was found to decrease with the increase in x up to 0.04, due to the replacement of the Fe3+ ions by the Sm3+ ions.