Electrical and magnetic properties of Al3+ substituted Mn-Ni-Zn nanoferrites

Nanostructured Mn-Ni-Zn ferrites with composition Mn0.1Ni0.6Zn0.3AlxFe(2-x)O4 (where x = 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2) have been prepared by sol-gel method. The structural data obtained by X-ray diffraction (XRD) of all Mn-Ni-Zn nanoferrites confirmed the spinel structure. The XRD data was used to calculate the lattice parameter and grain size. The morphology of nanoferrites was studied using scanning electron microscopy. The elemental composition (atomic percentage) was determined with the help of energy dispersive X-ray analyser. The dielectric permeability, AC and DC resistivity for all compositions were measured and discussed. The highest resistivity was measured for the sample with concentration x = 0.1. Vibrating sample magnetometry was used to study the magnetic properties of nanoferrites. High saturation magnetization of value 38.7 emu/g, coercivity 7 Oe and highest initial permeability 83.7 are measured for the sample consisting x = 0.05 Al concentration. These nanoferrites have various applications in core materials and in electronic device technology.