A Comparative Study on Ni-Zn-Ga Ferrites Irradiated by Thermal Neutrons

The chemical formulae Ni1-xZnxGa0.5Fe1.5O4 (x= 0, 0.5, and 1) with spinel structure was prepared by a solid-state reaction at 1200 oC. The effect of irradiation by thermal neutrons is discussed on the structure by X-ray diffraction and by the Fourier transforms infrared absorption. After irradiation, the unit cell of the sample NZGF1 is expended, but for the samples NZGF2 and NZGF3 the unit cell is compressed. The cation distribution for all samples has been estimated according to the theoretical lattice parameters before and after irradiated. The spectra of FTIR show two bands, the band ν1 (611–563 cm−1) shifted to lower whereas the band ν2 (428–435 cm−1) shifted to increases. The vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) was measured before and after irradiation. The results of magnetic properties show a decrease in introducing Zn ions and by irradiation. It can be concluded that these compositions are convenient as a radiation detector materials.