Effect of Zn^sup 2+^ Substitution on the Structure and Magnetic Properties of Co^sub 0.5^Cu^sub 0.5^Fe^sub 2^O^sub 4^ Synthesized by Solvothermal Method

A series of Zn^sup 2+^ doped Co-Cu ferrites with the formula Co^sub 0.5^Cu^sub 0.5-x^Zn^sub x^Fe^sub 2^O^sub 4^ (0.0 [less than or equal to] x [less than or equal to] 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^sub 0.5^Cu^sub 0.5-x^Zn^sub x^Fe^sub 2^O^sub 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^sup 2+^ additional amount, attributed to the larger ionic radius of the substituted ion Zn^sup 2+^ than Cu^sup 2+^ ionic radius. Zn^sup 2+^ substitution can improve the magnetic properties of Co^sub 0.5^Cu^sub 0.5-x^ Zn^sub x^Fe^sub 2^O^sub 4^. Co^sub 0.5^Cu^sub 0.4^Zn^sub 0.1^Fe^sub 2^O^sub 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.).