abstract
Nanoparticles of Zn0.375Ni0.625Fe2O4 ferrite were successfully synthesized using an innovative, rapid, and efficient synthesis method based on microwave-assisted hydrotalcite decomposition, enabling nanoparticle crystallization in less than 15 minutes. A single composition was studied to better assess the impact of the synthesis method on structural, morphological, and magnetic properties. This new synthesis route was compared with the traditional ceramic method. The prepared hydrotalcite was analyzed by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), identifying hydrotalcite diffraction planes consistent with selected area electron diffraction (SAED) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns. The decomposition phases of the hydrotalcite were identified by simultaneous thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis (DTA/TG). After hydrotalcite decomposition, the ferrite obtained was analyzed by XRD, confirming a single-phase cubic structure. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs revealed nanoparticles less than 100 nm in size with the new method and larger than 2 mu m with the traditional route. At a temperature of 5 K, the M-H graph obtained with a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) indicated that the spinel-type ferrite exhibited a smooth ferrimagnetic behavior, which was also corroborated by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). Magnetic saturation values of 105.73 emu/g were obtained in the synthesis microwave-assisted hydrotalcite decomposition and 51.49 emu/g in the traditional synthesis, representing an increase of over 100 %. The two synthesis methods were also compared using density functional theory (DFT) calculations, confirming the influence of morphology on magnetic properties, obtained thanks to different synthesis methods. These results indicate that the synthesized Ni-Zn spinel ferrite nanoparticles can be used in high-frequency applications, such as ceramic induction plates.
keywords
LAYERED DOUBLE HYDROXIDE; SPINEL FERRITES; FREQUENCY; MG; CO
subject category
Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED)
authors
Lahlahi-Attalhaoui, A; Cuadra, JG; Porcar, S; Fraga, D; Nebot-Diaz, I; Ribeiro, RAP; Paulo, JG; Carda, JB
our authors
Jaime González Cuadra
Post-Doc Fellowshipacknowledgements
Generalitat Valenciana [CIACIF/2022/277]; European Social Fund; Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation [PID2020-116719RB-C43]; Spanish State Research Agency [TED2021-130963B-C22]