Preparation of magnesium ferrite by a malic acid complex

Nanopowder of MgFe2O4 was prepared from an organic acid complex method. Among three kinds of organic acids examined, it was found from an XRD measurement that the highest purity powder of MgFe2O4 was obtained from a malic acid complex. SEM observation revealed that the powder is fluffy aggregates and each particle has irregular shape. The TG–DTA and IR measurements show that thermolysis process of a malic acid complex in air was mainly constructed at two stages consisting of dehydration and ligand pyrolysis. Furthermore, it was confirmed from a VSM measurement that the saturation magnetization of MgFe2O4 nanopowder is much smaller value than that of the bulk material.