Composition dependent structural and morphological modifications in nanocrystalline Mn-Zn ferrites induced by high energy ?-irradiation

We report the high energy y-irradiation induced structural transformations in nanocrystalline Mn1-xZnxFe2O4 (x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1) samples synthesized by solution combustion method using a mixture of fuels. All samples were exposed to a gamma radiation dose of 50 kGy. The y-irradiation decomposes the single phase cubic spinel (Fd-3m) structure of the samples into new stable phases. The pure MnFe2O4 sample transformed to Mn2O3 and Fe1-xO phases whereas the pure ZnFe2O4 sample retained its phase. For the samples with intermediate Zn-content y-irradiation facilitates the formation of stable α-Fe2O3 and ZnFe2O4 phases, along with amorphous MnO phase. The scanning electron micrographs demonstrate the complete change of the sample morphology with fusion of the particles after y-irradiation. Our results are important for the understanding of the stability and performance of the devices used in various technological applications near intense high energy radiation sources.