Preparation and characterization of Co0.5Zn0.5Fe2(C4H2O4)3•6N2H4

A good precursor is foremost in the preparation of nanosized metal or mixed metal oxides. In the present study a novel precursor, cobalt zinc fumarato-hydrazinate Co0.5Zn0.5Fe2(C4H2O4)(3)center dot 6N(2)H(4) has been prepared which decompose at a much lower temperature to give nanosized mixed-metal oxides. X-ray investigations, confirms the formation of single spinel phase. The FTIR spectra show N-N stretching vibration at 965 cm(-1) which confirms the bidentate bridging hydrazine. The thermal decomposition of the precursor has been studied by isothermal, thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimetric analysis. The precursor shows two-step dehydrazination followed by decarboxylation to form Co0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4, the chemical analysis of the sample is corroborative of this.