Diamagnetic Al3+ Doped Ni–Zn Spinel Ferrite: Rietveld Refinement, Elastic, Magnetic, Mössbauer, and Electrical Explorations.

Ni0.65Zn0.35AlxFe2−xO4 that has been synthesized using a solution-gelation method and calcined at 600 °C for 4 h was characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). A single-phase cubic spinel structure belonging to the Fd-3 m space group was confirmed by Rietveld refinement. The cation distribution that was anticipated using the XRD data deviated from the preferential occupancy, and the results of the magnetization analysis supported this. The two absorption bands in the FTIR spectra corresponding to the tetrahedral and octahedral sites further support the establishment of the ferrite skeleton. Al3+ doping was found to have a considerable impact on the Debye temperature, bulk modulus, and stiffness modulus measured using FTIR data. Interatomic bonding became stronger, increasing elastic moduli. The morphology was examined using SEM, whose results showed a cluster of grains. Additionally, spherical nanoparticles with an average size of 28 nm were visible in the TEM image, which is in good agreement with the crystallite size given by the Williamson-Hall method. The Mössbauer analysis and M–H data showed a soft magnetic behavior with coercivity fluctuation. According to Arrhenius plots, all samples displayed a semiconducting characteristic. With Al3+ doping, dielectric studies revealed a declining trend. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]