Magnetic Hysteresis Loop Behavior of a Type of Tetra-Metallic Nanocomposite Prepared by Co-Precipitation

Abstract

Nanoparticles unique chemical and physical properties signifiicantly differentiate them from their bulk and macroscopic counterparts. Their small size and specific surface area contribute to these differences. Nickel-magnesium-cobalt ferrite is a well-known spinel ferrite magnetic material recognized for excellent performance at high frequencies. It is a novel composite material formed by incorporating a specific amount of magnesium into the nickel-cobalt ferrite matrix, paving the way for further research into new combinationsNickel-iron-cobalt alloys are among the most significant magnetic metals, exhibiting significant ferromagnetism at temperatures above room temperature (RT). In this study, nickel-cobalt-magnesium-iron nanoparticles were synthesized using the coprecipitation method. The initial raw materials including metal nitrates, sodium hydroxide, and citric acid, were used for the occurrence of the reaction. Magnesium was substituted for nickel in the nickel-cobalt ferrite powders for a short duration. The resulting materials were analyzed using X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), and Vibrating Sample Magnetometry (VSM). The magnesium substitution influenced the particle size and magnetic properties of MgxNi1-xCo0.5Fe2O4 nanoparticles. The average size of the crystallites increased with the addition of magnesium while the lattice constant remained stable ranging from 8.375 to 8.397 nm. All samples exhibited a simple cubic crystal (SC) structure with a cauliflower-like morphology. According to the VSM results, the hysteresis loops indicate that as magnesium is added and nickel is reduced in the samples, both the Saturation Magnetization (Mₛ) and Remanent Magnetization (Mᵣ) decreased. Adding magnesium and reducing nickel in the samples decreased the saturation magnetization (MS) from 3.19 emu/g to 0.12 emu/g while the residual magnetization (Mr) decreased from 0.54 to 4.32 × 10-3 emu/g. Samples M01, M02, and M03 displayed ferromagnetic properties, whereas sample M04 exhibited characteristics similar to paramagnetism.