Influence of SiO(2) Embedding on the Structure, Morphology, Thermal, and Magnetic Properties of Co(0.4)Zn(0.4)Ni(0.2)Fe(2)O(4) Particles

(Co(0.4)Zn(0.4)Ni(0.2)Fe(2)O(4))(α)(SiO(2))((100−α)) samples obtained by embedding Co(0.4)Zn(0.4)Ni(0.2)Fe(2)O(4) nanoparticles in SiO(2) in various proportions were synthesized by sol-gel process and characterized using thermal analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry, and magnetic measurements. Poorly crystalline Co–Zn–Ni ferrite at low annealing temperatures (500 °C) and highly crystalline Co–Zn–Ni ferrite together with traces of crystalline Fe(2)SiO(4) (800 °C) and SiO(2) (tridymite and cristobalite) (1200 °C) were obtained. At 1200 °C, large spherical particles with size increasing with the ferrite content (36–120 nm) were obtained. Specific surface area increased with the SiO(2) content and decreased with the annealing temperature above 500 °C. Magnetic properties were enhanced with the increase in ferrite content and annealing temperature.