Regulation mechanism of metal ions towards magnetic properties in Mn1−xZnxFe2O4

In this work, the microstructure, crystallographic parameters and magnetic properties of polycrystalline manganese–zinc (Mn–Zn) ferrites were investigated. Mn_1−xZn_xFe₂O₄ (0.11 ≤ x ≤ 0.14) were prepared by the solid-state reaction method at 1360 °C for 2 h in air atmosphere. Phase evolution and microstructure of Mn–Zn ferrites were investigated by XRD and SEM techniques. X-ray diffraction study confirmed the formation of spinel-structured Mn_1−xZn_xFe₂O₄. The magnetic properties were measured employing soft magnetic alternating current measuring instrument (MATS-3010SA). It was observed that as the zinc content (x) increases, the lattice constant remained stable, microstructure did not change significantly, the permeability of Mn–Zn ferrite was improved, and total loss and coercivity were reduced. Changes in crystal structure and magnetism were attributed to occupancy of non-magnetic Zn²⁺ and super-exchange interactions between the metal ions of sub-lattice A and B in the spinel structure. These results indicated that the magnetic properties of Mn_1−xZn_xFe₂O₄ ferrites were strongly affected by the Zn content (x). In a brief summary, Mn_0.86Zn_0.14Fe₂O₄ ferrite exhibited excellent magnetic properties with a low loss (P_s = 39.24 W/kg) and low coercivity (H_c = 39.16 A/m) measured at 200 mT and 10 kHz.