Cation Distribution, Structural Parameters and Magnetic Moment in the Spinel Structure of Li-Zn Ferrite Prepared by Glycine-Nitrate Process

In this study، nanocrystalline Lithium-Zinc ferrites with the chemical composition of Li0. 5ZnxFe2. 5-xO4 (where x=0، 0. 1، 0. 2، 0. 3، 0. 4، 0. 5) was synthesized by glycine nitrate process using glycine as a fuel and nitrate as an oxidizer. Oxygen positional parameter، lattice parameter and crystallite size were estimated by Rietveld analysis of the X-ray diffraction data. Interionic distances and bound angles in the spinel structure of the as-synthesized ferrite powders were calculated using lattice parameter and oxygen positional parameter. Magnetic moment per formula unit was calculated using vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) measurements. Phase analysis results show nanostructured Li-Zn ferrites with crystallite size in the range 29-59 nm have been formed successfully in the all samples. Saturation magnetization and magnetic moment increases with the increase in zinc concentration up to x=0. 2 and after that it decreases with the increase in zinc content. The variation of magnetic moment with Zinc content x can be explained on the basis of Neel’s theory for x=0. 0 to 0. 2 and Yafet-Kittel model for x>0. 2.