Usman Khan

In this work Mn_xCo_1−xFe₂O₄ nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized using a chemical co-precipitation method. Phase purity and structural analyses of synthesized NPs were performed by X-ray diffractometer (XRD). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) reveals the presence of highly crystalline and narrowly-dispersed NPs with average diameter of 14 nm. The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum was measured in the range of 400–4000 cm⁻¹ which confirmed the formation of vibrational frequency bands associated with the entire spinel structure. Temperature-dependent magnetic properties in anti-ferromagnet (AFM) and ferromagnet (FM) structure were investigated with the aid of a physical property measurement system (PPMS). It was observed that magnetic interactions between the AFM (Mn) and FM (CoFe₂O₄) material arise below the Neel temperature of the dopant. Furthermore, hysteresis response was clearly pronounced for the enhancement in magnetic parameters by varying temperature towards absolute zero. It is shown that magnetic properties have been tuned as a function of temperature and an externally-applied field.

Ni substituted Mn-Co ferrite nanoparticles (NixCo0.8-xMn0.2Fe2O4), with doping content (x) varying from 0 to 0.1, have been synthesized via co-precipitation route. X-ray diffraction reveals the formation of single phase spinel ferrite structure. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy exhibits presence of two absorption bands appearing at 500-600 cm-1 which are characteristic feature of spinel ferrites. Microstructural analyses were carried out by using scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscope which determine the particle size and chemical composition of the synthesized nanoparticles. From TEM results, average particle size was determined to be about 20 nm, which is in good agreement with XRD results. Magnetic results show increase in coercivity and decrease in saturation magnetization with increasing doping concentration.