We have investigated the magnetic properties of three differently prepared
samples of the spinel ZnFe2 O-4 with mu SR, neutron diffraction, Mossbauer
effect and magnetization measurements. Below T-N = 10.5 K, the first sample
(annealed) shows long-range antiferromagnetic order in coexistence with sh
ort-range magnetic order. The second sample (rapidly quenched) shows only s
hort-range magnetic order. The third sample (nanostructured with an average
particle size of about 9 nm) exhibits ferromagnetism below T-c approximate
to 460 K combined with superparamagnetism. Below the blocking temperature
of similar to 50 K the nanostructured sample exhibits a dependence on appli
ed magnetic fields similar to that observed in spin glass systems. The role
s of cation-site occupation and magnetic couplings in governing the differe
nt magnetic behaviors exhibited by the samples are discussed. (C) 2000 Publ
ished by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.