Influence of silicon substitution on the properties of lithium ferrite

Silicon substituted lithium ferrite of different compositions (Li0.5(1+x)SixFe2.5−1.5xO4) were prepared for x = 0–0.6 by ceramic standard technique. The magnetic and electrical properties of synthesized samples have been determined. A structural characterization of all the samples was conducted by the X-ray diffraction technique. The grain size ranging from 5.5 to 16 μm were studied with respect to compositions by SEM pictures. The maximum value 75.23 emu/g of saturation magnetization of silicon substituted lithium ferrite at x = 0.4 molar concentration of silicon was observed. The measured real part of dielectric constant (ɛ′) and loss tangent (tan δ) of mixed Li–Si ferrite decreases with increasing silicon concentration in ferrite. Such variations in dielectric properties are due of Fe2+ and Fe3+ concentrations on octahedral sites and electronic hopping frequency between Fe2+ and Fe3+ ions.