Effect of Nd3+ substitution on structural and magnetic properties of Mg–Cd ferrites synthesized by microwave sintering technique

Abstract Nd 3+ substituted spinel ferrites with formula Mg x Cd 1− x Nd 0.03 Fe 1.97 O 4 ( x  = 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0) were prepared by oxalate co-precipitation method using novel microwave sintering technique. AR grade sulphates were used as starting chemicals. The samples were sintered at optimized power of 70 W for 10 min in a microwave oven (800 W). The structural analysis of these samples was done by using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope and Fourier transform IR techniques. The XRD analysis of the synthesized ferrite confirms the formation of cubic spinel structure of ferrite. The influence of Nd 3+ substitution on various structural parameters of Mg–Cd ferrites was reported. IR study indicates the spectra contain two intense absorption bands around 600 and 400 cm −1 in addition with four extra bands. The magnetic properties of all ferrites were studied by using a vibration sample magnetometer. The crystallite and grain size dependant magnetic properties are observed. The composition Mg 0.6 Cd 0.4 Nd 0.03 Fe 1.97 O 4 has better magnetic properties that can be used in recording media. The fast synthesis of spinel ferrites is yielded due to use of the microwave sintering technique.