Abstract
Manganese–magnesium ferrite nanoparticles Mn1−xMgxFe2O4; 0≤x≤0.25 were prepared by the co-precipitation route. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), which confirms the single phase spinel structure. Crystallite size, calculated from the (311) peak using the Scherrer formula, was found to increase with increasing Mg2+ concentrations and was found to be within the range 3–6nm. TEM was also used to characterize the microstructure of nanosized Mn1−xMgxFe2O4. Nominal composition of the samples was determined by Atomic Absorption analysis (AA). Hysteresis loops of manganese–magnesium ferrite were obtained at room temperature and revealed lower saturation magnetization values associated with nanocrystalline Mn1−xMgxFe2O4 particles. This behavior was attributed to structural distortion of surface spins compared to that of the bulk one.
► The formation of Mn-Mg substituted ferrite nanoparticles by co- precipitation. ► The structural analysis by XRD and TEM indicate the formation of Mn-Mg ferrite structure in nanosized range. ► TEM shows a dispersed state of spherical shaped nanosized crystallite. ► The saturation magnetization value was lower than that of the bulk value. ► The DC electrical resistivity was found to vary from 8.41×107 to 1.29×107Ωcm.