Synthesis of ZnFe2O4 from metallic zinc and iron by wet-milling process

Nanosized zinc ferrite (ZnFe2O4) has been prepared directly from metallic iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) powders by using wet-milling technique. Structural and magnetic properties of the samples were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). It is found that the particle size varied from 38.2 to 19.4 nm as the milling time was increased from 2 to 20 h. Magnetic measurements at room temperature revealed that the magnetization of the samples increased as the particle size decreased.