Cation distribution and magnetic properties of LiMnZn ferrites

Highlights: •Spinels Mn0.4Zn0.6−xLi0.5xFe2+0.5xO4 (x = 0–0.4) were produced by sol–gel and calcination. •The samples were studied by magnetization measurements and XRD. •An increase in saturation magnetization with Li content is observed. •A cation distribution model is proposed, considering Zn2+ ions in B sites. •Rietveld refinements and agree with magnetization results. -- Abstract: Spinel compounds Li0.5xZn0.6−xMn0.4Fe2+0.5xO4 (x = 0.0; 0.1; 0.2; 0.4) were produced by the self-combustion sol–gel method. The obtained powders were calcined at 1000 °C for 2 h in Ar atmosphere. The structural and microstructural characteristics of the resulting samples were studied by magnetization measurements, Mössbauer spectroscopy and X-ray powder diffraction in combination with the Rietveld method. Based on magnetization results, a cation distribution model is proposed which is tested with Rietveld refinements and supported by Mössbauer results. The observed increase in saturation magnetization with Li content in the structure is explained by an unusual distribution of Zn2+ ions in octahedral sites