Impact of nanorod morphology on microstructure, magnetic and electrical properties of NixCo1-xFe2O4

A series of NixCo1-xFe2O4 (x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1) was successfully synthesized via hydrothermal method. From XRD analysis, the pure phase formation of Ni-CoFe2O4 (NCFO) was confirmed and the crystallite size ranged from 33 to 44 nm. Besides, the variation of theoretical lattice parameter with x-content was in a good agreement with experimental ones. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) revealed the formation of nanorod shapes with gradual decrease in length and diameter with addition of Ni2+ ions. Energy Dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) confirmed the purity of prepared samples. Magnetic parameters (M-s, M-r and H-c) showed a gradual decrease with addition of Ni2+ ions. Meanwhile, both Coercivity and Curie temperature were enhanced in our studied nanorod compositions compared to their corresponding nanosphere compositions. Variation of DC resistivity and thermoelectric power coefficient were studied in the temperature range 385-548 K. The sign of the thermoelectric power coefficient could determine the type of charge carriers. Moreover, the conduction mechanism was deduced from activation energy values. Finally, the cation distribution was proposed such that it could verify the variation of lattice parameter and magnetization of each composition as well as the behavior of resistivity and thermoelectric power.