Effect of Zn2+ Substitution on the Structure and Magnetic Properties of Co0.5Cu0.5Fe2O4 Synthesized by Solvothermal Method

A series of Zn 2+ doped Co–Cu ferrites with the formula Co 0.5 Cu 0.5− x Zn x Fe 2 O 4 (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.3) have been successfully synthesized using the solvothermal method. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy results indicate that a high-crystallized cubic Co 0.5 Cu 0.5− x Zn x Fe 2 O 4 with rod-like structure is obtained when the precursor is calcined at 800°C in air for 3 h. The lattice parameters increase with the increase of Zn 2+ additional amount, attributed to the larger ionic radius of the substituted ion Zn 2+ than Cu 2+ ionic radius. Zn 2+ substitution can improve the magnetic properties of Co 0.5 Cu 0.5− x Zn x Fe 2 O 4 . Co 0.5 Cu 0.4 Zn 0.1 Fe 2 O 4 obtained at 800°C has the highest specific saturation magnetization (73.7 ± 0.9 emu/g) and magnetic moment (3.13 ± 0.04 B.M.).