Mechanism of Ni-Zn Ferrite Formation in the Presence of Molten Li2SO4-Na2SO4

Nickel-zinc ferrite powder was prepared from the constituent oxides in the presence of molten Li₂SO₄-Na₂SO₄. The effect of ZnO on the reactivity of NiO was studied. The process of Ni-Zn ferrite formation was followed by X-ray diffraction and thermomagnetic analyses. Particle size and shape of the product were determined by scanning electron microscopy. In the presence of molten salt, ZnO enhances the reactivity of NiO, and Ni-Zn-ferrite formation is completed at lower temperature than Ni ferrite formation. In the reaction for the formation of Ni-Zn ferrite, Zn ferrite forms before NiO is incorporated into the ferrite phase. The reaction between the initially formed Zn ferrite and NiO leads to a rate of Ni-Zn ferrite formation higher than that of Ni ferrite formation from NiO and Fe₂O₃.