Abstract
This report synthesized the Cr3+-substituted NiZnCo ferrite nanoparticles using the sol-gel auto-combustion method. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern revealed the formation of single-phase spinel cubic ferrite. The lattice constant is observed to increase from 8.34 angstrom to 8.47 angstrom for x = 0.05 and further decreases to 8.38 angstrom with the further increase in doping, whereas crystallite size decreases from 32.15 nm to 25.68 nm. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) shows that grain size increases initially with Cr3+ concentration, whereas for x = 0.2, grain size decreases. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) shows the formation of peak v(1) around 600 cm(-1) and v(2) around 400 cm(-1), confirming the formation of spinel structure. The reducing saturation magnetization from 68.49 emu/g to 51.64 emu/g with the addition of Cr3+ ions shows a higher B-B interaction than A-B interaction. The DC resistivity increased with the increase in dopant concentration till x = 0.1, and with further increase in doping concentration, the resistivity decreased.