Effect of Zn substitution on magnetic properties of nanocrystalline cobalt ferrite

The Zn substituted cobalt ferrite nanoparticles having the generic formula Co1−xZnxFe2O4 (x=0.0–0.7) were prepared by wet chemical coprecipitation technique using analytical reagent (AR) grade sulphates. The prepared samples were heated at 150 °C to remove water molecules and then annealed at 725 °C for 16 h. Investigation of the structural properties were carried out using x-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy techniques. The nanocrystalline nature of the samples is confirmed by TEM data. Substitution of the nonmagnetic Zn2+ ions considerably changes the magnetic properties. Néel’s model fails to explain the observed magnetic behavior above x=0.2. For x≥0.2 the Yafet–Kittel model can be fitted. AC susceptibility measurements confirm the decrease in Curie temperature.