Synthesis of uniform LiZnTi ferrite with enhanced magnetic properties through CuO nanoparticle substitution

In this work, a systematic study of the influences of CuO nanoparticle on the crystal structure, morphological characteristics and magnetic parameters of LiZnTi ferrite is present. The CuO-substituted LiZnTi ferrites (Li0.43−x/2Zn0.27Ti0.13CuxFe2.17−x/2O4; 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.25) are synthesized through solid-phase sintering process. XRD results suggest that there is only spinel structure (space group Fd-3m), meaning the CuO nanoparticle has no effect on phase structure. And the phenomenon that left shift of the diffraction peaks is due to larger Cu2+ ions substitution. SEM images show that the ferrites have uniform and compact grain, which indicates the Cu2+ ions substitution does not deteriorate microstructure. Moreover, the relationships between magnetic properties and Cu2+ ions content have been discussed in detail. Finally, a spinel structure LiZnTi ferrite with uniform grain and optimized magnetic parameters (4πMs = 3904.3 G, Br/Bs = 0.87, Hc = 241.2 A/m and Bs = 306.2 mT) is obtained when Fe3+ ions are replaced by Cu2+ ions (i.e., x = 0.15).