Magnetic dilution effect of nano-crystalline NiFe2O4 synthesized via sucrose-assisted combustion route

Sucrose assisted combustion route was utilized to synthesize nano-crystalline Cr-substituted nickel ferrites, NiFe2−xCrxO4 (x=0.0–1.0). The synthesized samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) techniques to investigate the effect of Cr-substitution on the structural and magnetic properties of the entire system. Single-phase formation was checked using XRD and a proper cation distribution was estimated depending on the related structural parameters. FT-IR absorption bands were found to be in the expected range, which fortifies the spinel formation. The change in the structural properties by the addition of Cr3+ ions was discussed from the view point of ionic radii of the entire ions. TEM revealed the agglomeration nature of the synthesized powders. The magnetic properties were strongly affected by Cr-substitution. The decrease in the saturation magnetization and coercivity with increasing Cr-content was attributed to magnetic moments and magneto-crystalline anisotropy of the entire ions, respectively.