Molten Salt Synthesis of Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 Powders

In this article, Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 ferrite powders were prepared by a reaction between Fe2O3, NiO, and ZnO powders in a molten salt. This article investigated the effects of firing temperature and holding time on the properties and microstructure of Ni-Zn ferrite powder via X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and thermal analysis. The synthesis mechanism is discussed. At 900 degrees C, the grain contained pure spinel Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 and the grain size was smaller, so that Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 ferrite ceramic was easier to sinter. FESEM images illustrate that the average grain size increased as the sintereing temperature increased from 900 to 1050 degrees C. The grain shapes changed from triangular patterns to cubic structures with the increase of temperature. The respective solubilities of NiO, ZnO, and Fe2O3 in flux controlled the synthesis mechanism.