Ni0.4Zn0.6Fe2O4 Nanopowders by Solution-Combustion Synthesis: Influence of Red/Ox Ratio on their Morphology, Structure, and Magnetic Properties

Nickel-zinc ferrite nanopowders Ni0.4Zn0.6Fe2O4 were prepared by glycine (G)–nitrate (N) solution-combustion synthesis and the influence of G/N ratio on their chemical composition, morphology, structure, crystallite size, and magnetic behavior was characterized by XRD, EDX, SEM, FTIR spectroscopy, and vibration magnetometry. According to XRD data, the formation of Ni–Zn ferrite gets started at G/N = 0.4. The observed influence of G/N ratio on the structural and magnetic parameters of Ni–Zn ferrites opens up a route to producing powders with crystallite size D in the range 24.6–47.1 nm, extent of conversion α up to 94%, coercive force Hc from 7.88 to71.78 Oe, remanence magnetization Mr from 2.42 to 31.81 emu/g, and saturation magnetization Ms from 51.06 to 90.66 emu/g. The maximum values of magnetic characteristics were reached at a stoichiometric ratio of glycine to nitrogen in nitrates (G/N = 0.6).