Hydrothermally prepared nanocrystalline Mn–Zn ferrites: Synthesis and characterization

Nanocrystalline particles of MnxZn1−xFe2O4 were prepared by chemical precipitation of hydroxides, followed by hydrothermal processing and freeze–drying. The synthesis involves the hydrolysis of aqueous metal precursors by using ammonia as precipitating agent. The chlorine ion concentration in the solution and the pH of the precipitation, are shown to play a crucial role in retaining the initial stoichiometry of the solution to the nanoparticles. The obtained products exhibited some interesting and unique features: they consisted of nanoparticles with sizes ranging from 5 to 25 nm, they had surface areas between 60 and 110 m2 g−1 and pore sizes in the mesopore region (i.e. 8–20 nm). The produced materials were examined by powder X-ray diffraction for crystalline phase identification, scanning electron microscopy for grain morphology, high resolution transmission electron microscopy for particle size distribution and nitrogen sorption for surface area, pore volume and pore size distribution determination. The sintering of the ferrite powders was also studied by thermogravimetric analysis and dilatometry of the powders mixed with an organic binder to improve their compaction properties.