Magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of Cu1-xZnxFe2O4 (x=0.6, 0.7, 0.8) ferrites

The effect of Zn substitution on the magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of Cu1-xZnxFe2O4 (x=0.6, 0.7, 0.8) ferrites over a wide temperature range has been investigated. The polycrystalline samples were synthesized using the solid-state reaction at sintering temperature 1050 degrees C (1323 K) for 2 h and has been characterized by SQUID magnetometry. Magnetization versus temperature showed that all samples exhibit a paramagnetic to ferromagnetic transition with decreasing temperature. The Curie temperature T-c is found to decrease from 373 K for x=0.6 to 140 K for x=0.8 as well as the saturation magnetization Ms which shifts from 100 to 44 emu/gm. The magnetocaloric effect was obtained by measuring a family of M-I1 curves at set temperature intervals and calculating the entropy change, LIS for this system using the Maxwell relation. The AS of all samples increased with increasing applied field and showed a maximum around their respective 'Fe. The entropy change (Delta S) decreased with increasing Zn content, whereas the relative cooling power (RCP) slightly increased. The large RCP and Delta S found in Zn substitution Cu-Zn ferrites will be interesting for magnetic refrigeration near room temperature. (C) 2014 Published by Elsevier B.V.