Abstract

The effects of milling parameters on the formation of ZnFe₂O₄ nanocrystalline are studied. Powder mixtures of ZnO and Fe₂O₃ were milled in high energy vibrant ball milling for different balls to powders mass ratio and milling times. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy are used to characterize the powders. A crystalline size and lattice parameter are obtained from Scherrer formula and the Nelson–Riley function respectively. It was found that the balls to powder mass ratio plays a key role on the formation of ZnFe₂O₄ nanocrystalline more than other parameters (type of mill and rotation speed). A spinel phase appears from 6 h of milling duration with balls to powder ratio of 10:1 butnevertheless, the Fe₂O₃ and ZnO disappear if the milling time was further increased to 24 h. For balls to powders mass ratio of 20:1, the obtained zinc ferrite phase seems to be pure after 12 h milling. The effect of the different parameters is discussed in detail.

Key words: Zinc-Ferrite, nanocrystalline, ball milling, scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction.