Magnetic properties of larger ionic radii samarium and gadalonium doped manganese zinc ferrite nanoparticles prepared by solution combustion method

Nanoparticles of Mn0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4, Mn0.5Zn0.5Fe1.95Sm0.05O4 and Mn0.5Zn0.5Fe1.9Gd0.05Sm0.05O4 ferrites are prepared by solution combustion method and characterized to comprehend their structural, microstructural and magnetic properties. The single-phase formation and spinel cubic structure of the samples analyzed by XRD method. The average crystallite sizes were found in the range 10.26 to 16.68 nm. The lattice parameters were found in the range 8.4157 to 8.4508 angstrom. The particle size was studied by using TEM micrographs and found to be in nano range. The results are good agreements with XRD results. A strong correlation between the size of the particle with respect to the Sm3+ and Gd3+ content has been identified using TEM micrographs. The M-H loop of Mn0.5Zn0.5SmxGdyFe2-(x+y)O4 (where x = 0, y = 0; x = 0.05, y = 0; x = 0.05, y = 0.05) nanoparticles exhibit ferromagnetic nature with saturation magnetization and coercivity. The M-H loop of Mn0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 nanoparticles exhibit a high saturation and remanent magnetization. The saturation magnetization and remanent magnetization found in the range 44.16 to 5.805 emu/g and 24.46 to 0.093 emu/g, respectively. The saturation and remanent magnetization decreases after Sm3+ and Gd3+ substitution on Fe- site in Mn0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 is because of the distinction in the cation distribution at tetrahedral site and octahedral site. Meanwhile, experiments demonstrate that the solution combustion method has significant effect on structure and magnetic behavior of the prepared ferrite nanoparticles.

Automated summary

Nanoparticles of Mn0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4, Mn0.5Zn0.5Fe1.95Sm0.05O4, and Mn0.5Zn0.5Fe1.9Gd0.05Sm0.05O4 ferrites were prepared by solution combustion method and characterized to understand their structural and magnetic properties. The study revealed a strong correlation between particle size and magnetic behavior, with the substitution of Sm3+ and Gd3+ affecting the saturation and remanent magnetization of the nanoparticles. Solution combustion method was shown to have a significant effect on the structure and magnetic properties of the prepared ferrite nanoparticles.