Microwave-assisted synthesis and comprehensive characterization of ZnFe₂O₄ nanoparticles: structural, magnetic, and dielectric properties
摘要
This research utilized a microwave irradiation method to create magnetic ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles. Phase identification of ZnFe2O4 was conducted using XRD and SAED, which confirmed that ZnFe2O4 exhibited a single-phase cubic spinel structure with the Fd-3m space group. The crystallite size, as determined by XRD, was approximately 5.0 nm. Transmission electron microscopy images confirmed the spherical shape of the nanostructures, which also displayed the ZnFe2O4 nanocrystalline structure. At room temperature, superparamagnetic properties were evident in the magnetic hysteresis loop. The M–H curve was fitted using the Langevin function indicating a saturation magnetization of 4.47 emu/g. The magnetization curve, analyzed using the FC and ZFC method, revealed a blocking temperature of 20 K. The loss tangent (tan δ) and dielectric constant (ε′) measured at different temperatures exhibited decreasing trends as both the frequency and temperature increased. The Havrilliak-Negami model employed for the frequency-dependent response of ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles showed non-Debye-type relaxation. The exponent (s1) and DC conductivity were determined by fitting the AC conductivity using Jonscher's power law at various temperatures. The deviation of the exponent from unity indicates that ZnFe2O4 exhibits nonohmic behavior. In summary, the results show the multifunctional response of ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles, which is advantageous for practical applications in magnetic resonance imaging and microwave resonance.