Correlation between structure, cation distribution, elastic, and magnetic properties for Bi3+substituted Mn-Zn ferrite nanoparticles

Chemical coprecipitation was used to synthesize Mn0.6Zn0.4BixFe2-xO4 ferrite nanoparticles with x values from 0.0 to 0.05. XRD indicated nanocrystalline spinel phase with typical crystallite size of 6 nm after Rietveld refinement. The IR spectra show two strong absorption bands. Using IR data, the force constant was estimated for the tetrahedral and octahedral locations to get the C11 and C12 stiffness constants. Elastic moduli (Young, bulk, and rigidity), Poisson ratio, and Debye temperature were calculated using stiffness constants and all decreased with Bi3+ content. All nanoparticles studied are superparamagnetic and lose magnetism with Bi3+ concentration. The behaviors of all these parameters were explained by linking them to the structural changes that are introduced due to Bi3+ ion substitution. Moreover, different models were used to check and compare between both theoretical and experimental values for many parameters. Finally, the magneto -mechanical properties of the ferrite nanoparticles open the door for several daily applications.