The effects of cobalt and magnesium co-doping on the structural and magnetic properties of ZnFe2O4 synthesized using a sonochemical process

In this study, Zn1-xCo0.5xMg0.5xFe2O4 ferrites of various compositions were synthesized using a sonochemical approach. X-ray diffraction tests on the samples revealed the formation of pure spinel ferrite with a cubic structure. The lattice constant, X-ray density, and cation distribution were all affected by cobalt and magnesium doping. Tolerance factor is very close to unity, it suggests a very stable spinel ferrite structure. The cation distribution implies that the compounds are partially inverse spinels or mixed spinels. The FTIR analysis confirms the tetrahedral and octahedral positions of the M − O bond. When Co2+ - Mg2+ is doped in zinc ferrite, the morphological transition occurs, according to morphological investigations. The elemental composition of as-synthesized ferrite was confirmed by using EDS analysis. A Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM) was used to examine the magnetization of ferrite at ambient temperature, and the ferrite changed from superparamagnetic to ferromagnetic when the concentration of Co2+ and Mg2+ ions increased. [Display omitted] •Zn1-xCo0.5xMg0.5xFe2O4 ferrites synthesized by Sono chemical method.•The structural as well as magnetic properties of ZnFe2O4 drastically change after doping with Co2+ and Mg2+ ions.•This is the first report in which Co2+ and Mg2+ ions were simultaneously doped in ZnFe2O4 using sono chemical method.