Studies on the B-H Loop Properties of Microwave Processed Li-Zn-Cd Ferrites Nanocrystallites

Abstract

Lithium zinc cadmium ferrite nanocrystallites having the compositional formula Li¹⁺_0.4-x/2Zn²⁺_0.2Cd²⁺_xFe³⁺_2.4-x/2O²⁻₄ where x = 0.02, 0.03 and 0.04 were prepared by microwave process heating at 1050^ºC for 25 min. X Ray Diffraction (XRD) technique confirmed the formation of single phase with spinel structure in all the samples and compared with samples of same composition prepared by conventional process heating at 1050^ºC for 6 h. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) photomicrograph revealed the microstructures of the samples and showed finer microstructures in the microwave processed samples. The B-H loop traced from the samples showed significant improvements in the various hysteresis parameters such as coercivity and remanance ratio for the microwave processed samples. The Curie temperature and saturation magnetization also increased for these samples. The microstructural properties such as grain, grain boundaries, pores, and their distribution due to microwave processing contributed to the observed hysteresis properties. The results of the various measurements are discussed in the paper.

Keywords:

• Microwave processing
• lithium ferrites
• nanocrystallites
• X-ray diffraction
• B-H loop

Acknowledgments

The authors are thankful to Dr. R. K. Kotnala, Chief Scientist & Head, Multiferroics and Magnetic, CSIR-NPL, New Delhi for M-H measurements, Electroceramics Laboratory, G. V. M. Girls College, Sonepat, Haryana for B-H loop measurements.