Effect of Bismuth Oxide on the Structure, Electrical Resistance, and Magnetization of Lithium Zinc Ferrite

The structural, electrical, and magnetic properties of lithium zinc ferrite prepared by ceramic technology have been studied. The composition of lithium zinc ferrite is Li_0.4Fe_2.4Zn_0.2O₄ with 1 and 2 wt % bismuth oxide. The addition of Bi₂O₃ prior to sintering of the samples has been shown to affect the structural, electrical, and magnetic properties of the ferrite. A significant increase in density from 4.47 to 4.65 g/cm³ and a decrease in porosity from 4.8 to 2.3% have been observed when the concentration of bismuth oxide has been increased to 2 wt %. The Bi₂O₃-containing samples have higher specific electrical resistivity compared to that of the additive-free lithium zinc ferrite. The introduction of bismuth oxide has reduced the specific saturation magnetization from 70.55 to 54.76 G cm³/g. The Curie temperature has not changed significantly. An optimal combination of macroscopic properties of ferrite has been found at 1 wt % Bi₂O₃ concentration.