Synthesis of nanostructured magnetic mixed-oxide ferrite powders by using a novel chemical method

In the present investigation, an attempt has been made to establish a new chemical route for synthesis of the nanostructured mixed oxide ferrite powders. By using this chemical method a variety of ferrite powders having spinel structure and doped with Co, Ni, Mn, Zn etc has been prepared. In this method nitrate salts of the different metals were used as starting materials. The aqueous solutions of the metal nitrates were mixed according to the molar ration of the compositions. Then the mixtures were mixed with an aqueous solution of water soluble polymer (polyvinyl alcohol). This mixture after drying yield fluffy brown powders. These powders were then calcined at different temperatures ranging from 400 degreesC to 700 degreesC. Nanostructured powders were obtained from the thermal decomposition of the brown powders. The powders, prepared by calcinations at different temperatures, were characterized by using X-Ray diffraction analysis, IR spectroscopy, TGA/DTA, and TEM. It was observed that the average particle size of the powders are in nanometer scale with a narrow size distribution. The average particle size of the powders was increased with the increase of calcinations temperature. This chemical method has proved to provide a convenient process for the preparation of nanostructured ceramic powders at comparatively low temperatures and offers the potential of being a simple and cost-effective route.