Synthesis and magnetic properties of Cu0.7Zn0.3AlxFe2−xO4 nanoferrites using egg-white method

A simple and low cost effective method involving egg white (ovalbumin) is used to synthesize the Cu0.7Zn0.3AlxFe2−xO4 nanoparticles. The structural and magnetic properties of the synthesized samples were studied as a function of Al content x. The formation of crystal phase was identified by the X-ray diffraction method. All the samples confirm the formation of single phase cubic spinel structure and lattice constant that were found to decrease with the increase in Al content x. The morphology and particle size were examined by scanning electron microscopy. We report the synthesis of nanoparticle with crystallite size ranging from 25 to 33 nm. A vibrating sample magnetometer was used to obtain the hysteresis parameters. The saturation magnetization and magneton number decreased with the substitution of Al ions. The Curie temperature was determined from a.c. susceptibility plots and it is found to decrease with Al substitution.