Structural, magnetic and optical characterization of Ni0.8Zn0.2Fe2O4 nano particles prepared by co-precipitation method

Bond strength values, between tetrahedral sites and octahedral sites atoms in the unit cell, are evaluated using maximum entropy method (MEM) for the Ni0.8Zn0.2Fe2O4 nano ferrite particles, prepared by co-precipitation method and sintered at 900°C. The spinel structure is confirmed from the XRD analysis done using the Rietveld method. Substitution of zinc ion causes increase in lattice parameter value. Thermal behavior, morphology, magnetic properties and optical band gap energy values of the sample are determined by using thermogravimetric analysis and differential thermal analysis, scanning electron microscope, vibrating sample magnetometer and UV–VIS–NIR techniques respectively. Low value of saturation magnetization is attributed to the disorder in cation distribution.