Structural parameters and cation distributions in solid state synthesized Ni-Zn ferrites

A series of Nickel-Zinc ferrite samples were synthesized by low-energy ball milling with subsequent thermal treatment in air at 1200 degrees C for 12 h. X-ray Diffraction patterns confirm the formation of the ferrite phases. Lattice parameters were found to increase almost linearly from 8.3366 angstrom to 8.4387 angstrom with the increment of zinc substitution. The oxygen parameters also increased and were found to closely follow an earlier proposed power law equation. The cation-oxygen bond lengths, suggest a gradual tetrahedral expansion and octahedral contraction with increasing Zn content. Additionally, the occupation of Zn2+ and Ni2+ ions in all samples has been determined by using the line intensity ratios of diffraction peaks together with a proposed general chemical formula. From the calculated cation distributions, it was found that the theoretical lattice parameters agree with the experimental ones. By using, the Williamson-Hall method, an average crystallite size of similar to 36 nm was found.