Optimizing magnetic and electrical properties of MnZn ferrites via spatially engineered Ni distribution

Manganese-zinc (MnZn) ferrites are widely employed in electromagnetic interference (EMI) suppression due to their favorable magnetic properties. However, their practical performance is often constrained by the inherent trade-offs among key magnetic properties, such as initial permeability (<em>μ</em>_i), impedance (<em>Z</em>), saturation magnetic induction (<em>B</em>_s), and Curie temperature (<em>T</em>_c). Here, we demonstrate a strategy that simultaneously enhances these properties by combining trace Ni doping with precise control of the sintering atmosphere. The low Ni concentration, together with a carefully regulated oxygen partial pressure, suppresses the diffusion driving force of Ni²⁺, leading to its spatially non‑uniform distribution and preferential segregation at grain boundaries. This localized Ni enrichment facilitates the formation of transgranular magnetic domains across significant crystallographic misorientation grains. Furthermore, Ni-rich grain boundaries promote the migration of Fe³⁺ from octahedral (B) sites to tetrahedral (A) sites, thereby increasing the A-B and A-A bond angles, shortening the corresponding bond lengths, and strengthening the super-exchange interactions within the spinel lattice. As a result of this spatially engineered Ni distribution, the optimized MnZn ferrite exhibits significantly improved properties, including an <em>μ</em>_i of 11,648 at 10 kHz, <em>Z</em>₀ of 43 Ω·mm^-1 at 1 MHz, <em>B</em>_s of 524 mT at 1 kHz, 1194 A·m^-1, and <em>T</em>_c of 174 ℃, outperforming conventional MnZn ferrites. This work highlights spatial compositional engineering as a viable route to advanced soft magnetic materials for next‑generation EMI suppression technologies.