Abstract

In the present research, the effect of citric acid amounts on the structural and magnetic properties of ferrite particles with a chemical composition of Ni0.4Cu0.2Zn0.4Fe2O4 has been evaluated. Molar ratios of metal nitrates to citric acid (MN: CA) were selected as 1:1 and 1:2. X-ray diffraction pattern confirmed the formation of the spinel phase. Thermal gravimetric analysis, differential thermal analysis, field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and vibrating samples magnetometer were used to evaluate the thermal behavior, structural and magnetic properties of the synthesized powders. It was observed that magnetization of nanoparticles decrease by an increase in the amount of citric acid. The results confirmed that with an increase in copper content for the Ni0.6-xCuxZn0.4Fe2O4 ferrite the particle size and blocking temperature increases.

Keywords: Citric acid, particle size, sol-gel, magnetic properties