Structural, Magnetic and Dielectric Properties of Nanocrystalline My/2y+Fe3-(y/2)3+(M = Li and Mg) Ferrites Synthesized via EDTA/EG Assisted Sol-Gel Method

In this study, lithium and magnesium ferrites have been synthesized using EDTA/EG assisted sol-gel method. Based on X-ray diffraction data, it is identified that a spinel-type structure of Li ferrite with space group of P4332 and Mg ferrite with space group of Fd3m has been successfully formed. The estimated value of crystallite size falls within 33-42 nm range. The microstructure of the as-produced powders examined by a field emission scanning electron microscope shows that secondary particles with the mean particle size of 30-170 nm tend to agglomerate severely. Regarding the magnetic properties measured by a vibrating sample magnetometer, Li ferrite, due to higher saturation magnetization than that of Mg ferrite (53.54 versus 23.27 emu.g(-1)) exhibits superior magnetic properties. In contrast, dielectric properties shows that Mg ferrite gives a much greater dielectric constant at all the measured frequency range.