Synthesis and characterization of cobalt substituted zinc ferri-chromites prepared by sol–gel auto-combustion method

Abstract

Mixed metal oxides having spinel structure shows interesting structural properties. In the present investigation, cobalt substituted zinc ferri-chromites were prepared by sol–gel auto-combustion method. The completion of solid state reaction and the formation of spinel phase were identified using X-ray diffraction technique. All the compounds exhibit cubic spinel symmetry and lattice constant shows an irregular trend with substitution of Co. Infra-red spectral studies shows an two strong bands, one around 600 cm⁻¹ which is attributed to the intrinsic vibrations of tetrahedral complexes and the other at 400 cm⁻¹ is due to octahedral one. The morphology and size of the particles was found out by scanning electron microscopy while the elemental compositions by elemental dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The various compounds of the present system Zn_1−xCo_xFeCrO₄ were also investigated for their thermal and electronic studies.