EFFECT OF Fe DEFICIENCY ON STRUCTURAL AND MAGNETIC PROPERTIES IN LOW TEMPERATURE SYNTHESIZED Mg-Mn FERRITE

Abstract

Magnesuim Manganese ferrite powders of Mg 0.9 Mn 0.1 Fe 2-x O 4 [x = 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8] compositions were synthesized by citrate precursor method at low temperature. The decomposition temperature, phase formation and microstructure were characterized by Thermogravimetrical Analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction method (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), respectively. The density and porosity of sintered pellets were measured by Archimedes' method. The synthesized powders showed fine agglomerated particles with the crystallite size in the range of 15–25 nm. The size of the particle was found to decrease with Fe content. The XRD results of the calcined powders at 500°C for all compositions revealed the formation of single phase cubic spinel structure. The grain size of the pellets sintered at 1250°C was in the range of ~ 0.05 to 0.08 μm which is smaller than that obtained for ferrites prepared by the conventional ceramic method. The observed variations in magnetic properties were investigated by Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM) and the results of magnetization exhibit collinear ferromagnetic behavior. This synthesis method is relatively simple, economical, time and energy saving for mass production.