Effect of Thermal Treatment at Inert Atmosphere on Structural and Magnetic Properties of Non-stoichiometric Zinc Ferrite Nanoparticles

Abstract Zinc ferrite nanoparticles were obtained by chemical methods (co-precipitation and thermal decomposition of metalorganic compounds) systematically probed with volume (XRD, VSM), microscopic (TEM) element sensitive probes (ICP-OES, Mössbauer Spectroscopy, XPS, XAFS). Magnetic studies proved the paramagnetic response stoichiometric ZnFe 2 O 4 (ZF) nanoparticles, while superparamagnetic behavior was observed in as-synthesized, non-stoichiometric Zn x Fe 3? (NZF) nanoparticles. Upon annealing up to 1400 °C an inert atmosphere, a significant change saturation magnetization NZF observed, which rose from approximately 50 140 emu/g. We attribute this effect redistribution cations spinel lattice reduction 3+ 2+ during high-temperature treatment. Iron is both ZF it related zinc associated sublimation oxide.