Magnetic and structural studies of the Mn-doped Mg–Zn ferrite nanoparticles synthesized by the glycine nitrate process

In this study, Nanocrystalline Mn–Mg–Zn ferrite with the chemical formula MnxMg0.5−xZn0.5Fe2O4 (x=0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5) was successfully synthesized by the glycine-nitrate autocombustion process using glycine as a fuel and nitrates as oxidants. The as-synthesized powders were characterized by the X-ray diffraction analysis, field emission scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and vibrating sample magnetometer. The X-ray diffraction data was used to determine the lattice constant, cation distribution and the oxygen position parameter. The results reveal that the nanocrystalline Mn–Mg–Zn ferrite has an average crystallite size of 35–67 nm and particle size of 40 nm. The lattice parameter increases linearly with an increase in the Mn content. The FTIR analysis confirms the intrinsic vibrational frequencies of the tetrahedral and octahedral of the spinel structure. The magnetic measurements indicate that the coercivity decreases, and the magnetization increases by increasing the Mn content. - Highlights: ► Mg–Zn ferrite -doped MnO nanoparticles were prepared by by glycine–nitrate process. ► XRD results indicate the presence of Mn2+ in both sub-lattices. ► Mn2+ can increase both magnetization and particle size and decrease coercivity.