Ni2+ substituted Mg-Cu-Zn ferrites by molten salt route: Evaluation of structural, morphological and electromagnetic properties

We report a facile molten salt route to synthesize Ni2+ substituted Mg-Cu-Zn spinel ferrites with their electromagnetic properties. The ferrite nanoparticles (Mg0.25-xNixCu0.25Zn0.5Fe2O4 with x = 0.0-0.25 in step 0.05) synthesized at 800 degrees C using sodium chloride as a growth inhibitor, revealed an excellent tuning in electromagnetic properties due to addition of Ni. Single-phase formation of spinel ferrite having crystallite size in the range of 45-49 nm was observed by XRD and confirmed by TEM/SAED spot pattern. The obtained dielectric and magnetic properties (high initial permeability = 592, saturation magnetization = 325 emu, coercivity = 36.86 G) of nanostructured spinel ferrite suggest the possibility of utilization of the developed material for MLCI application. The molten salt chemistry, and thereby its effect on structural, morphological and electromagnetic properties of Mg-Cu-Zn ferrites are discussed.