The Effect of Milling Time on Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ Compositional Evolution and Particle Size Distribution

Problem statement: This study involved an investigation to ascertain the diffusion of NiO and ZnO into the tetrahedral and octahedral sites using mechanical alloying method. The effect of mechanical alloying towards particle size was also reported. Approach: NiO, ZnO and Fe₂O₃ precursors were mechanically alloyed to synthesis ultrafine powders of Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄. Various milling times were employed to study the effect of milling time on the materials. The ultrafine powder was sampled after each milling time and further characterized using XRD to investigate the phases of the powder and the crystallite size, SEM for the morphology and TEM for particle size investigation. Results: The XRD spectra indicated the precursors reacted during milling with the diffusion of ZnO and followed by NiO into their respective crystallographic sites. SEM micrographs showed the agglomeration of powders due to high energy milling and TEM images proved the particles of the materials were of nanosize. Conclusion: It was concluded that samples prepared using mechanical alloying technique appear to be a potential method for large production due to the possible reduction of cost and also reduction of particle size against milling time.