Synthesis and characterization of zinc doped nickel nanoferrites via sol-gel auto-combustion technique

Abstract Over the last few decades, numerous researchers have made significant contributions to the development of spinel ferrite owing to its unique and versatile structural, spectroscopic, and magnetic characteristics. These ferrites are extensively used in various applications such as microwaves, drug delivery, gas sensors, and electronic devices. Their technological applications require low porosity, high density, and specified microstructure. In this work, we prepared Zinc-doped Nickel nanoferrites Ni 1-x Zn x Fe 2 O 4 (x= 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3) using the sol-gel auto-combustion technique. Structural analysis of prepared samples was done using X-ray diffraction and Scanning Electron Microscopy, the elemental composition was examined using EDAX and optical studies using UV-visible spectroscopy. The average crystallite size was found in the 40.6 to 64.92 nm range. EDAX analysis confirmed the presence of expected elements in the samples. From UV-visible spectroscopy characterization studies it was observed that as particle size increases, there will be an increase in the band gap energy of ferrite nanoparticles. The Nickel-Zinc nanoferrite absorbs energy in the range of 233nm to 237nm.