Improvement of the magnetic properties for Mn–Ni–Zn ferrites by rare earth Nd3+ ion substitution

Single spinel phases of Mn0.5Ni0.1Zn0.4NdxFe2-xO4 ferrite samples (x=0.0, 0.01, 0.02, 0.05, 0.075, and 0.1) have been prepared by ceramic method and the composition dependence of the physical and magnetic properties has been investigated. SEM micrographs and EDX analysis revealed that there is no considerable effect for the Nd^3+ ion substitution on the average grain size or porosity, whereas its concentration in the grain boundaries is higher than that in the grains. Saturation magnetization (MS) increased with the Nd^3+ ion concentration (x) and reached a maximum value at x=0.05. In addition, both the initial permeability and the magnetic homogeneity increased by increasing the Nd^3+ ion content. The value of Curie temperature increased due to the substitution by Nd^3+ ions to record about 170 K, for the sample with x=0.05, higher than that of the un-substituted one.