Preparation and characterization of nanosize Mn0.4Zn0.6 Fe2O4 ferrite by citrate precursor method

Syntheses of nanosize Mn0.4Zn0.6Fe2O4 particles from metal nitrate solution through citrate precursor method are reported. Soft ferrites have been prepared by a wet chemical process, known as the citrate precursor method, which involves the formation of citrate complexes of the constituent cations. The electrical and magnetic measurements on Mn–Zn ferrite have shown electrical resistivity higher by more than two orders of magnitude compared to that observed for sample prepared by conventional ceramic method and low magnetic losses, making these ferrites specially suitable for high frequency applications. The saturation magnetization, initial permeability and Curie temperature are found to be more in precursor method as compared with ceramic method because of uniformity and homogeneity in grains and smaller grain size in precursor method. Curie temperature and saturation magnetisation has shown initial increase and then decreases with sintering temperature. These changes in properties are explained on the basis of various theories and models.