Fabrication and characterization of ferrites (Mg and Mn)based on FTIR, XRD, SEM and TEM

Abstract

This study has encountered with the fabrication of ferrites (Mg and Mn) using citric acid as anionic surfactant in sol-gel method followed by calcinations at varied temperatures (300, 600, 800°C) for 2h, respectively. The fabricated ferrites have been characterized by FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy), XRD (X-Ray Diffraction), SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) and TEM (Transmission Electron Microscope). The FTIR spectrum for MnFeO3 shows that some functional groups already removed under 300°C calcination due to several oxidation numbers possessed by Mn leading to more flexibility. The XRD diffractograms for both MgFe2O4 and MnFeO3 show that the transition phase from amorphous to crystalline structure occurred in the temperature range of 300-600°C. The SEM mappings based on the Fe distribution for both MgFe2O4 and MnFeO3 show that more Fe distributed over the ferrites surface at 600 and 800°C, while the SEM mappings for both ferrites (Mg and Mn) show less Fe distribution at 300°C calcination, thus, it indicates more repulsion force bearing by higher amounts of Fe atoms at higher thermal agitation due to volume expansion. The TEM spectra proved that both ferrites existed as crystals after calcined at 600°C. The fabricated ferrites have remarkable electrical properties useful for the manufacture of semiconducting materials.