Nano-crystalline Mn0.3Ni0.3Zn0.4Fe2O4 obtained by novel fumarato-hydrazinate precursor method

Carboxylate hydrazinate complex involving mixed metals have been synthesized and used as precursor for preparing the nanocrystalline Mn-Ni-Zn ferrite. Chemical composition of complex was fixed from chemical analysis results, infrared studies, thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimetric analysis and isothermal weight loss studies. Nano-crystalline Mn-Ni-Zn ferrite particles obtained by thermal autocatalytic decomposition were characterized using X-ray diffraction studies, infrared spectral studies and TEM measurement. Two peaks in the region of 340-420 and 550-660 cm(-1) observed in the infrared spectrum of as synthesized oxide are characteristics of spinel ferrites. Average particle size of as synthesized Mn-Ni-Zn ferrite was found to be 10 nm. As synthesized Mn-Ni-Zn ferrite showed Curie point at 313 A degrees C. Saturation magnetization (44.7 emu/g) observed for as synthesized Mn-Ni-Zn ferrite is lower than bulk material which is indicative of its nano-crystalline nature. Seebeck coefficient measurement has shown that the material exhibits n-type semiconducting behavior.