A nitrate-citrate gel was prepared from metal nitrates and citric acid by s
ol-gel process, in order to synthesize Ni0.25Cu0.25Zn0.50Fe2O4 ferrite. The
thermal decomposition process was investigated by DTA-TG, IR and XRD techn
iques. The results revealed that the nitrate-citrate gel exhibits self-prop
agating combustion behavior. After combustion, the gel directly transformed
into single-phase, nano-sized NiCuZn ferrite particles with spinel crystal
structure. The synthesized powder can be densified at a temperature lower
than 900 degrees C. The sintered body possesses fine-grained microstructure
, good frequency stability and high-quality factor compared to the sample p
repared by conventional ceramic route. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All r
ights reserved.