Sintering temperature reflected cation distribution of Zn2+ substituted CoFe2O4

The most remarkable effect in spinel ferrites is the strong dependence of properties on the state of structural disorder and,in particular,on the cation distribution.The structural characterization of a Co-Zn ferrite nanoparticle sample was reported which prepared by wet chemical co-precipitation method.The samples were sintered at three different temperatures viz.650℃,850℃ and 1050℃ for 12 h.The structural details like:lattice constant and distribution of cations in the tetrahedral and octahedral interstitial voids have been deduced through X-ray diffraction (XRD) data analysis.Lattice constant was found to increase with the increase in Zn2+ ions and sintering temperature.Theoretical intensity ratios of (220),(400),(440) planes were considered,as these reflections are sensitive to cations on the A and B sites.Close agreement of the theoretical intensity ratio with the intensity ratio observed from XRD pattern supports the occupancy of Zn2+ ions and Co2+ ions on the octahedral and tetrahedral sites,respectively.