Analysis on the cation distribution of MgxNi1-xFe2O4 (x=0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1) using Mossbauer spectroscopy and magnetic measurement

MgxNi1-xFe2O4 (x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1) spinel ferrite material was analyzed to determine its magnetic properties and structure. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Mossbauer spectroscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) characterization were performed on the samples prepared using the sol-gel method. The results from XRD confirmed the existence of the single-phase cubic spinel structures Fd (3) over barm, as well as the evolution of the crystalline size (D), the lattice parameter (a) and cell volume in compounds. The Mossbauer spectra showed the distribution of cations and changes in the magnetic properties of the sample. VSM measurement revealed that the samples were room-temperature ferromagnetic. Moreover, the saturation magnetization (M-s) of the samples changed with the Mg2+ ion content x, and a maximum occured at x = 0.5. Doping with Mg2+ ions increased the transfer of Ni2+ ions to tetrahedral sites, thus increasing the magnetic moment difference between tetrahedral (A) and octahedral (B) sites. Specifically, doping NiFe2O4 with Mg2+ ions can enhance its magnetic properties and enhance its saturation magnetization.