Synthesis and optical and magnetic property characterization of Zn1-x-yCoxNiyFe2O4 (x & y= 0, 0.05, 0.15 and 0.25) nanoparticles

The synthesis of Zn1-x-yCoxNiyFe2O4 (0 ≤ x & y ≤ 0.25) nanoparticles has been carried out using a microwave combustion technique. The X-ray diffraction analysis of ZnFe2O4 samples, as well as ZnFe2O4 samples doped with Co2+ and Ni2+, indicated the presence of a spinel structure with a crystallite size ranging from 11 to 29 nm. The lattice and crystallite were established using XRD analysis. The FE-SEM picture reveals a uniform grain morphology. The UV-Vis spectra indicated a rise in band gap values along with an increase in the concentration of Co2+ and Ni2+. The VSM spectra demonstrate ferromagnetic behaviour in all of the samples.