Magnetic properties of Co_1−xZn_xFe₂O₄ spinel ferrite nanoparticles synthesized by starch-assisted sol–gel autocombustion method and its ball milling

In this article, Co_1−xZn_xFe₂O₄ (x=0.0 and 0.5) spinel ferrite nanoparticles were achieved at 800 °C by starch-assisted sol–gel autocombustion method. To further reduce the particle size, these synthesized ferrite nanoparticles were ball-milled for 2 h. X-ray diffraction patterns demonstrated single phase formation of Co_1−xZn_xFe₂O₄ (x=0.0 and 0.5) spinel ferrite nanoparticles. FE-SEM analysis indicated the nanosized spherical particles formation with spherical morphology. The change in Raman modes and relative intensity were observed due to ball milling and consequently decrease of particle size and cationic redistribution. An X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) result indicated that Co²⁺, Zn²⁺ and Fe³⁺ exist in octahedral and tetrahedral sites. The cationic redistribution of Zn²⁺ and consequently Fe³⁺ occurred between octahedral and tetrahedral sites after ball-milling. The change in saturation magnetization (M_s) and coercivity (H_c) with decrease of nanocrystalline size and distribution of cations in spinel ferrite were observed. - Highlights: • Co_1−xZn_xFe₂O₄ spinel ferrite nanoparticles. • Starch-assisted sol–gel auto-combustion method. • Effect of ball-milling on particle size and cation distribution. • Magnetic property dependent on cations and particle size