Zinc ion-substituted cobalt ferrite powders Co_1−xZn_xFe₂O₄ (x = 0–0.7) were prepared by the sol-gel auto-combustion process. The structural properties and magnetic of the samples were investigated with X-ray diffraction (XRD), superconducting quantum interference device, and a Mössbauer spectrometer. The results of XRD showed that the powder of a single cubic phase of ferrites calcined when kept at 800 °C for 3 h. The lattice constant increases with increase in Zn concentration, but average crystallite size does not decrease constantly by increasing the zinc content, which is related to pH value. It was confirmed that the transition from ferrimagnetic to superparamagnetic behaviour depends on increasing zinc concentration by Mössbauer spectra at room temperature. Magnetization at room temperature increases for x ≤ 0.3, but decreases for increasing Zn²⁺ ions. The magnetization of Co_0.7Zn_0.3Fe₂O₄ reached maximum value (83.51 emu/g). The coercivity decreased with Zn²⁺ ions, which were doped on account of the decrease of the anisotropy constant.

A sol-gel autocombustion method was used to synthesize Al³⁺ ion-substituted cobalt ferrite CoAl_xFe_2−xO₄ (x = 0–1.5). According to X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), cobalt ferrite was in a single cubic phase after being calcined at 1000 °C for 3 h. Moreover, the lattice constant decreased with increase in aluminum substituents. When the sample was analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), we found that uniformly sized, well-crystallized grains were distributed in the sample. Furthermore, we confirmed that Al³⁺ ion-substituted cobalt ferrite underwent a transition from ferrimagnetic to superparamagnetic behavior; the superparamagnetic behavior was completely correlated with the increase in Al³⁺ ion concentration at room temperature. All these findings were observed in Mössbauer spectra. For the cobalt ferrite CoAl_xFe_2−xO₄, the coercivity and saturation magnetization decrease with an increase in aluminum content. When the annealing temperature of CoAl_0.1Fe_1.9O₄ was steadily increased, the coercivity and saturation magnetization initially increased and then decreased.

Cobalt-chromium ferrite, CoCr_xFe_2−xO₄ (x = 0–1.2), has been synthesized by the sol-gel auto-combustion method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicates that samples calcined at 800 °C for 3 h were a single-cubic phase. The lattice parameter decreased with increasing Cr concentration. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed that the sample powders were nanoparticles. It was confirmed from the room temperature Mössbauer spectra that transition from the ferrimagnetic state to the superparamagnetic state occurred with the doping of chromium. Both the saturation magnetization and the coercivity decreased with the chromium doping. With a higher annealing temperature, the saturation magnetization increased and the coercivity increased initially and then decreased for CoCr_0.2Fe_1.8O₄.

Cd_xNi_0.5−xCu_0.2Zn_0.3Fe₂O₄ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.50) ferrite with a spinel structure was prepared using the sol–gel self-propagation method. The effects of Cd²⁺ doping on the structure, morphology, dielectric, and magnetic properties of Ni–Cu–Zn ferrite were examined using XRD, SEM, EDX, FTIR, MPMS, and dielectric tests. The cubic spinel structure was verified by XRD and FTIR analyses. The crystallite size and particle size information of the samples were obtained with XRD and SEM analysis. The sample particle size belonged to a class of nanoscale materials with a particle size range of 1–100 nm. The minor difference between the grain size and particle size indicated that the sample nanoparticles were composed of numerous microcrystals. The EDX spectra indicated that the samples contained all stoichiometric elements. MPMS was used to measure the hysteresis lines of the samples. According to the hysteresis line, the saturation magnetization intensity (M_s), coercivity (H_c), and magnetic moment (μ_B) of the sample increased and then decreased with the increase in cadmium concentration. The magnetization strength (M_s) is between 4–67 emu/g, and the coercivity (H_c) is between 9–46 Oe. The curves of the real part of the dielectric constant (ε′), the imaginary part of the dielectric constant (ε″), and the loss factor (tanδ) with frequency were measured in the frequency range 100 Hz–100 kHz by means of an impedance analyzer. The complex modulus spectrum was analyzed to understand the dynamics of the conduction process.

The present study envisages the preparation of chromium substituted Nickel ferrite NiCr_xFe_2−xO₄ (x = 0~1.0) powders by a sol-gel auto-combustion method. X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) showed that the specimens with x > 0.2 exhibited a single-phase spinel structure, and that more content of Cr within a specimen is favorable for the synthesis of pure Ni-Cr ferrites. The lattice parameter decreased with an increase in the Cr concentration. The sample without calcining exhibited a good crystallinity. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) showed the formation of ferrite powders nano-particles, and that the substitution of Cr weakened the agglomeration between the particles. Mössbauer spectra of NiCr_xFe_2−xO₄ showed two normal Zeeman-split sextets that displayed a ferrimagnetic behavior. Furthermore, the spectra indicated that iron was in the Fe³⁺ state, and the magnetic hyperfine field at the tetrahedral tended to decrease with an increase in the Cr substitution. The saturation magnetization decreased by the Cr³⁺ ions, and reached a minimum value (Ms = 4.46 emu/g). With an increase in the annealing temperature, the coercivity increased initially, which later decreased.

Background: The nanocrystalline structure of La_{1 -x}Ca _xFeO₃ was prepared by a sol–gel method involving an auto-combustion process. The incorporation of rare-earths in LaFeO₃ induces strain in magnetic properties, especially in terms of the following parameters: replacement amount, oxygen partial pressure, and calcination temperature. Methods: To determine the effects of the amount of Ca²⁺ ion doping agent and the calcination temperature on the microstructure, particle morphology, and magnetic properties of LaFeO₃ crystal, we performed the following respective analytical methods: X-ray powder diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometer tests. Results: The orthorhombic structure of LaFeO₃ perovskite did not change even when it was doped with Ca²⁺ ions, and its space group continued to be Pnma (No.62). FT-IR spectra confirmed that the main band appearing at 568 cm⁻¹ is due to the antisymmetric stretching vibration of Fe–O–Fe bonds in FeO₆. The introduction of Ca inhibits the growth of grains but the morphology of particles is improved. With an increasing concentration of Ca²⁺ ions, magnetic behavior of the samples also witnessed an increasing trend in a proportionate manner. With an increase in calcination temperature, the enclosed area of the magnetic hysteresis curve of the sample reduced remarkably. Conclusions: The growth of nanoparticles can be restrained with an increase of Ca content that is used as doping agent. The magnetic behavior of La_{1 -x}Ca _xFeO₃ tilts towards G-type antiferromagnetism; the magnetic orientation is achieved from the super exchange interaction of Fe³⁺ ions with oxygen ions.