Cation distribution and magnetic properties of LiMnZn ferrites

Abstract

Spinel compounds Li0.5xZn0.6xMn0.4Fe2+0.5xO4 (x = 0.0; 0.1; 0.2; 0.4) were produced by the selfcombustion sol–gel method. The obtained powders were calcined at 1000 C for 2 h in Ar atmosphere . The structural and microstructural characteristics of the resulting samples were studied by magnetization measurements, Mössbauer spectroscopy and X-ray powder diffraction in combination with the Rietveld method. Based on magnetization results, a cation distribution model is proposed which is tested with Rietveld refinements and supported by Mössbauer results. The observed increase in saturation magnetization wit h Li content in the structure is explained by an unusual distribution of Zn2+ ions in octahedral sites.