Investigation of Structural, Morphological and Elastic Properties of Ni-Zn Ferrite Grown with an Oxalate Precursor

We report structural, morphological and elastic properties of NiXZn1-XFe2O4 (x = 0.28, 0.30, 0.32, 0.34, 0.36, 0.38, 0.40) ferrimagnetic oxides prepared using oxalate chemistry. The Rietveld refinement of the X-ray diffraction patterns confirm the formation of spinel cubic structure. The experimental and theoretical lattice constant is found to decrease with increasing Ni2+ content. The FTIR spectra exhibit two main fundamental absorption bands, one for the tetrahedral site around 575 to 580 cm-1 and the other for the octahedral site around 411–413 cm-1. The magnitude of elastic moduli is found to be independent with increasing Ni2+ content. The morphological analysis showed the formation of small and homogeneous particles, which is possible using an oxalate precursor. The elemental analysis confirmed the presence of Ni, Zn, Fe, and O as per their stoichiometric amounts. The structural, morphological and elastic properties are described with an interplay of oxalate precursor synthesis route of the ferrite development.