Magnetic properties and DC electrical resistivity studies on cadmium substituted nickel–zinc ferrite system

Polycrystalline Ni0.65−xCdxZn0.35Fe2O4 ferrites with x varying from 0.00 to 0.20 in steps of 0.04 have been prepared by conventional ceramic route. Calcination and sintering of samples were performed at 950 and 1250°C for 4 and 2h, respectively. The prepared samples were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction. The observed modifications in structure and increase in lattice constant are attributed to the difference in ionic radius of substituted Cd2+ ion and displaced Ni2+ ion. The room temperature specific saturation magnetization and Curie temperature are observed to decrease continuously with decrease in cadmium content and are attributed to the decline of A–B exchange interaction. The monotonic increase in initial permeability and decrease in magnetic loss are observed with cadmium concentration. An increase in dc electrical resistivity is observed up to x=0.12 of cadmium followed by a continuous decrease. The variation of electrical resistivity with temperature was measured in the temperature range of RT–140°C and the corresponding activation energies for conduction obtained from the logρ vs 1/T graphs. ► Cd doped Ni–Zn ferrites ferrites have been prepared by ceramic route.► XRD of Ni0.65−xCdxZn0.35Fe2O4 ferrites showed a single phase spinel structure.► U-parameter increases with Cd2+, entering the tetrahedral sites and replacing the Fe3+.► Change of structure is due to difference in ionic radius of substituted Cd2+ ions.► There is a remarkable rise in resistivity of samples up to x=0.12 with cadmium substitution.