Structural and magnetic studies of Mg(1−x)ZnxFe2O4 nanoparticles prepared by a solution combustion method

•First time the optimization of combustion synthesis was done with mixture of fuel.•The characterization of the prepared samples confirms the nanocrystalline nature.•Magnetic properties of ferrites can be smoothly tuned by the composition.•The prepared samples are good materials for quick spin aligning devices. Nanocrystalline Mg(1−x)ZnxFe2O4 (x=0.0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1) ferrites were prepared by a solution combustion method using a mixture of fuels. The structural and magnetic properties of the as-prepared samples were studied using powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV–Vis absorption spectra and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) measurements. The PXRD analysis of all the samples revealed the single phase cubic structure with the space group Fd3¯m. The average crystallite size determined from the PXRD data was found to increase from 12nm to 25nm with an increase in the Zn content from x=0 to x=1. The IR absorption spectra exhibited two prominent peaks, which are assigned to tetrahedral and octahedral vibrations. The saturation magnetization, magnetic moment and remenant magnetization increases with an increase in the zinc content up to x=0.5 and decrease thereafter. The observed behavior is consistent with Yaffet–Kittel magnetic ordering. The ZFC (zero field cooled) and FC (field cooled) measurements of magnetization revealed that the blocking temperature is well below room temperature.