On the structural and magnetic study of Mg1−xZnxFe2O4

Mg1−xZnxFe2O4 (with x = 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0) spinel ferrite was synthesized via sol-gel auto combustion method. XRD confirms the formation of spinel phase with a secondary phase of Fe2O3 (in case of x = 1.0). Structural parameters changes as the Zn concentration increases which can be ascribed to the replacement of an ion with lower ionic radius (Mg2+) with that of an ion with higher ionic radius (Zn2+). Variation in the magnetic properties with Zn content are interpreted in terms of migration of Fe3+ between tetrahedral and octahedral sites.