Structure and magnetic properties of nanocrystalline Ni0·64Zn0·36Fe2O4 powders prepared by ball milling

In this study, nanocrystalline Ni 0·64 Zn 0·36 Fe 2 O 4 powders were prepared using a planetary ball mill. The evolution of the microstructure and magnetic properties during the milling were studied by X-ray diffraction technique, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and vibrating sample magnetometre. It is revealed from the results of the phase analysis that nanocrystalline Ni 0·64 Zn 0·36 Fe 2 O 4 ferrite with average crystallite size of 6·18 nm and non-uniform lattice strain of 0·33% has been formed after 60 h of milling time. A progressive increase of saturation magnetisation and a dramatic decrease in coercivity were also observed with increasing milling time.