Magnetic interaction between ferrimagnetic CoFe2O4 and antiferromagnetic NiO in nanocomposite

Nanocomposite of NiO and CoFe2O4 (CFO) has been prepared using the high energy planetary ball mill technique. Both crystallographic symmetries correspond to NiO and CFO has been observed from the X-ray diffraction pattern, which indicates no major chemical reaction between the two phases. The fraction of weight percentage for CFO and NiO are obtained from the double phase Rietveld analysis by using the space group Fd3¯m for CFO and Fm3¯m for NiO and, it is found to be as per the expected one. Magnetocrystalline anisotropy has been studied by analyzing magnetic hysteresis loop (obtained in the field range of ±2T) by employing the Law of approach to saturation. The anomaly in the hysteresis loops at symmetric position in the nanocomposite reveals the interaction between antiferromagnetic (NiO) and ferrimagnetic (CFO) phases at the interface.