Rietveld structure refinement of the cation distribution in ferrite fine particles studied by X-ray powder diffraction

Samples of ZnFe2O4 and CuFe2O4 fine particles prepared by coprecipitation method have been studied by X-ray powder diffraction at room temperature. The oxygen position, the lattice parameter, the mean size of the nanoparticles and the cation distribution have been determined by means of Rietveld analysis, indicating the existence of mixed ferrites in both samples. These results are also evidenced through magnetic measurements in ferrofluid samples at room temperature.