Synthesis, characterization and magnetic properties of Zn substituted Li-Ni nano ferrites

Nanosized Li-Ni-Zn ferrites with general chemical formula Li0.5 Ni(0.75-x/2) Zn(x/2) Fe2O4 (0 < x < 1) were synthesized from a simple polymer matrix based precursor solution. The solution was composed of metal nitrates, polymer (PVA) and disaccharide (sucrose). Thermolysis/flame pyrolysis of the precursor mass in an external temperature resulted in the oxide phase formation. X-ray diffraction studies confirm the formation of single phase ferrites. The microstructural analysis was carried out by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The average grain diameter was estimated by the Scherrer method and grain diameter is found to vary from 16 nm to 33 nm. The saturation magnetization was studied as a function of composition.