Effect of Mg substitution on electromagnetic properties of NiCuZn ferrite

Mg substituted NiCuZn ferrites were prepared through sol–gel method using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as a chelating agent. The samples after annealing at 500°C to remove PVA were sintered at 950°C for 1h. The structural and electromagnetic properties of the samples were investigated. All the samples showed single phase spinel structure with increased lattice constant as a function of Mg concentration. The morphology reveals polyhedral shaped grains with increased grain size as a function of Mg composition. Dielectric parameters showed low values at higher frequencies. The initial permeability increased with Mg substitution in place of Ni in accordance with the microstructure. The samples sintered at low temperature having low dielectric losses and improved permeability along with the high frequency stability of permeability find applications in multilayer chip inductors. •Magnesium substituted NiCuZn ferrite samples showed improved microstructure.•Weak IR band around 470cm−1 signal, the presence of Fe2+ ions and the band intensity reduced with increasing Mg concentration.•The samples exhibit low dielectric losses at high frequencies.•Mg substituted in NiCuZn ferrite improved the permeability and also exhibited high frequency stability.