Sm3+ doped Mn-Zn mixed ferrites: Synthesis and characterization

Abstract

Pure and Samarium (Sm3+) doped Mn-Zn ferrites were synthesized using Co-precipitation method. The Sm3+ concentration varied from 0.1% to 0.3%. This was added to the solution during the synthesis of Mn-Zn ferrites (Mn0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4) at room temperature. The precipitate so obtained was annealed at 200℃ for 4 h and then crushed to powder. The powdered material was subjected to structural, morphological, compositional, optical and magnetic characterization. XRD shows cubic spinal structure with crystallite size of the order of 6 nm. TEM and SEM images show spherical particles are in good agreement with XRD data. EDAX indicates stoichiometry of elements present in material. FTIR shows various functional groups and doped samarium. VSM for pure Mn:Zn ferrite show hysteresis with high magnetization, coercivity and low remanence. All the magnetic parameters decrease on 0.1% Sm3+ doping. These parameters get increased, compared to values at 0.1% doping, on increasing Sm3+ doping to 0.2%. On further increasing Sm3+ doping to 0.3%, the magnetic parameters show insignificant changes. VSM shows that Sm3+ affects magnetic properties significantly only at lower doping concentrations. These changes are due to Sm3+ substitution at tetrahedral and octahedral positions. The ionic radii mismatch in between Samarium and iron influence the magnetic parameters of Mn0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4.