Role of annealing in the structural and magnetic properties of Zn-Ferrite nano-particles

For the present work, Zinc ferrite having compositional formula ZnFe2O4 have synthesized at room temperature through Chemical Co-Precipitation method. The precursors were annealed at different temperature 500, 700, and 900 °C. The structural and magnetic properties were investigated by XRD, SEM and VSM. X-ray diffraction pattern confirms the formation of cubic structure. Their corresponding reflection planes are also determined. The lattice constant calculated from XRD peaks is 8.39 A. Particle size calculated from XRD peak broadening confirms an average particles size of 12nm. Particles size measured using SEM show good agreement with the calculated value. Magnetization measurements have been carried on the nano-size Zn-ferrite and it was found that saturation Magnetization, Coercivity and Remanance were very lower compared to bulk materials. The saturation magnetization increases with increase in annealing temperature.