A Novel Process for the Preparation of ZnO Nanoparticles and ZnO/Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 Nanocomposites

A novel solution combustion and gel calcination process for the preparation of ZnO nanoparticles and ZnO/Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe(2)O(4) nanocomposites was introduced. The phase identification, morphologies and magnetic properties of ZnO nanoparticles and ZnO/Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe(2)O(4) nanocomposites were confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The results showed that the concentration of zinc nitrate and the calcination temperature were two key factors for the grain size, crystallinity and properties of ZnO nanoparticles, while, the mass ratio of ZnO and Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe(2)O(4) in ZnO/Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe(2)O(4) nanocomposites was the important factor for the specific magnetizations (Ms) of ZnO/Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe(2)O(4) nanocomposites.