Synthesis, studies and growth mechanism of ferromagnetic NiFe2O4 nanosheet

Abstract: Nickel ferrite (NiFe2O4) nanoparticles were prepared by a simple and cost-effective method using nickel nitrate, ferric nitrate, ethylene glycol and citric acid via polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) assisted sol–gel auto-combustion method. The structure, composition, morphology and magnetic properties of the gel precursor were characterised XRD confirmed the formation of single phase NiFe2O4 with space group Fd3m and inverse spinel structure and the crystallite size was found to be 29nm. The FT-IR showed absorption bands, which were assigned to the vibration of tetrahedral and octahedral complexes. The thermal decomposition of the gel precursors was investigated by TGA. HR-SEM and TEM images showed sheet-like nanostructure. The magnetic properties of these nanosheets were studied for the enlightening ferromagnetic behaviour at room temperature. The magnetic saturation (M s =41.70emug−1), remanent magnetisation (M r =7.57emug−1) and coercive force (H c =162.47Oe), were determined. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]