Cation Distribution and Structural Properties of Cu Ferrite Synthesized via Plasma Arc Discharge

In this study, nanocrystalline CuFe₂O₄ ferrite was synthesized using the plasma arc discharge (PAD) method. Characterization of the synthesized materials through X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed the formation of a phase cubic spinel structure. Based on the experimentally determined lattice parameter and the ionic radii of the constituent ions in Cu ferrite, we estimated the cation distribution and structural parameters. The results indicate that a mixed-type spinel structure was formed, characterized by a crystallite size of 43.3 nm, a lattice parameter of 0.83225 nm, and an inversion degree of 0.765. In this structure, Cu²⁺ ions occupy 23.5% of the tetrahedral sites and 38.2% of the octahedral sites, while Fe³⁺ ions are distributed among the remaining interstitial sites. Based on the obtained data, the interionic distances and bond angles were calculated. This estimated cation distribution was further validated by experimental magnetization measurements, which showed relatively consistent findings.