Influence of Zn-Zr ions on physical and magnetic properties of co-precipitated cobalt ferrite nanoparticles

Cobalt ferrite nanoparticles having the chemical formula CoFe2-2xZrxZnxO4 with x ranging from 0.0 to 0.4 were prepared by chemical co-precipitation method. The powder X-ray diffraction pattern confirms the spinel structure for the prepared compound. The particle size was calculated from the most intense peak (3 1 1) using Scherrer formula. The particle size of the samples was found within the range of 12-23 nm for all the compositions. The magnetic and electrical properties of these materials have been studied as a function of temperature. Activation energy and drift mobility have been calculated from the DC electrical resistivity measurements. Dielectric properties such as dielectric constant and dielectric loss tangent were measured at room temperature in the frequency range 100 Hz-1 MHz. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.