Tuning magnetization, blocking temperature, cation distribution of nanosized Co0.2Zn0.8Fe2O4 by mechanical activation

The study on structural, microstructural, magnetic, and hyperfine properties of nanosized Co0.2Zn0.8Fe2O4 having particle size ∼18 nm (CZM) synthesized by high energy ball milling of Co0.2Zn0.8Fe2O4 nanoparticles of size ∼20 nm (CZ) produced by flow rate controlled coprecipitation method has revealed that the inclusion of strain induced anisotropy produced by mechanical treatment and escalation of oxygen mediated intersublattice exchange interaction of spinel ferrites by tuning cation distribution properly, can improve the magnetic quality of nanosized ferrites significantly. This upshot will be of immense help in promoting the technological application of nanostructured ferrites. The Rietveld refinement of powder x-ray diffraction pattern and the analysis of transmission electron micrographs, energy dispersive x-ray spectrum, and FTIR spectrum of the sample have confirmed that CZM is single phase cubic nanometric spinel ferrite of Fd3¯m symmetry and it possesses large microstrain within its crystal latti...