Structure and magnetic properties of the Zn_xMg _1-xFe₂O₄ ferrites

Spinel magnesium-zinc ferrites Zn_xMg_1-xFe ₂O₄ (0≤x≤1) prepared by the standard double sintering ceramic method have been investigated using X-ray (XRD) diffraction technique and Mössbauer spectroscopy measurements at 295K and 78K. The crystal structure is found to be single cubic spinel whose lattice parameter 'a' increases with increasing Zn content. The Mössbauer spectra of the samples taken at 78 K are found to be magnetically ordered for x≤0.5, paramagnetic for x≥0.8 and show very broad patterns for intermediate concentration of Zn²⁺. The variation of the magnetic properties with the Zn concentration has been explained on the basis of the cation distribution driven from the Mössbauer measurements.