Using waste toner instead of Fe2O3 powder as a precursor for synthesizing Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 ferrite by the calcination method

Abstract

 Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ ferrite was synthesized using the calcination method, employing waste toner along with precursor materials NiO and ZnO, in a molar ratio (NiO : ZnO : waste toner = 0.5 : 0.5 : 1). The synthesis process was done at room temperature and 1,100 °C for 2 hours. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of the structures revealed the formation of a crystal structure of Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ cubic spinel ferrite at the calcination temperature of 1,100°C for 2 hours, with a lattice constant (a) of 8.22 Å and an average crystallite size (D_XRD) of 11.87 nm. Vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) analysis of the magnetic properties exhibited the temporary magnetic properties of Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ ferrite, calcined at 1,100 °C for 2 hours, with a saturation magnetization (M_s) of 16 emu/g, remanent magnetization (M_r) of 0.03 emu/g, and coercivity (H_C) of 7 Oe. The crystal structural and magnetic properties suggest that the synthesized Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ ferrite possesses desirable characteristics in the realm of temporary magnetic materials. Therefore, waste toner can potentially serve as a substitute for Fe₂O₃ in the synthesis process.