Physicochemical and Magnetic Properties of Nickel-Substituted Zinc Manganite Nanoparticles

Abstract: A series of Zn_1-xNi_xMn₂O₄ nanoparticles was prepared by a glycine assisted combustion method. The as-synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The magnetic properties of the prepared samples were measured by using a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). XRD, FTIR, EDX, TEM and SEM showed formation of ZnMn₂O₄ NiMn₂O₄, Zn_1-xNi_xMn₂O₄ nanoparticles with Mn₂O₃ as a seconded phase. In addition, the as-synthesized manganites had a spinel system and a sponge crystal structure. The particles were polycrystalline in nature, and the average sizes of manganites ranged between 30 and 70 nm. The magnetic measurements indicated that the nanostructure obtained shows room temperature ferromagnetism.