Structural and magnetic properties of MgFe2O4 powders synthesized by solution combustion method: the effect of fuel type
Peyman Heidari, S.M. Masoudpanah
Abstract
Single phase MgFe2O4 powders were synthesized by solution combustion method using metal nitrates as oxidant and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), citric acid and glycine as fuel. Thermal analysis showed the combustion reaction rate decreased from the glycine to citric acid and EDTA fuel, respectively, due to the chelation of cations by fuel. The structural analysis of X-ray diffraction patterns showed the partially inverse spinel structure of MgFe2O4 powders in which the inversion degree was dependent on the fuel type. The particle size decreased from 250 to 45 and 35 nm for the glycine to the citric acid and EDTA fuels, respectively, as a result of the decrease of combustion temperature. The MgFe2O4 powders synthesized by the EDTA fuel had the highest specific surface area and pore volume of 62 m2/g and 0.14 cm3/g. The magnetic properties were correlated to the inversion degree and particle size.