Impact of Zn addition on structural, morphological, and magnetic properties of thermally annealed Li–Zn nanoferrite

The effect of Zn addition on cationic distribution, structural and magnetic properties of nanocrystalline Li-Zn ferrites are reported. Xray diffraction confirms the formation of spinel nanoferrites with an average grain diameter of 34 -82 nm. The addition of Zn results in a linear increase of lattice parameter and X-ray density. Magnetism in the studied samples is governed by the Yafet-Kittel three-sub-lattice model, shown by a non-zero canting angle. The variation in magnetic properties is correlated with the calculated cationic distribution. A new antistructural modeling explains the changes in the concentration of donor and acceptor surface active centers.