Structure and magnetic properties of nanocrystalline Ni sub(0.64)Zn sub(0.36)Fe sub(2)O sub(4) powders prepared by ball milling

In this study, nanocrystalline Ni sub(0.64)Zn sub(0.36)Fe sub(2)O sub(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 sub(0.64)Zn sub(0.36)Fe sub(2)O sub(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.