Synthesis and characterization of manganese ferrite from low grade manganese ore through solid state reaction route

Manganese ferrite spinel has been synthesized by using low grade manganese ore and ferric oxide as sources of manganese oxide and iron oxide through solid state reaction route by taking manganese and iron mole ratio of 1:2 respectively. The impact of sintering temperature on phase composition and particle size is investigated. Similarly, the impact of frequency on dielectric constant, dielectric loss, AC (alternating current) conductivity and tangent losses is also investigated. The results shows the presence of spinel structure manganese ferrite (MnFe₂O₄) as the major phase for the sample sintered at 1200 °C. It has been established that the crystallite size increase with rise in sintering temperature. The surface morphology of the sample sintered at 1200 °C show pyramidal and triangular shape grains. The dielectric constant (ε') and dielectric losses (ε'') were observed to decrease with increasing the sintering temperature and frequency. Furthermore, the AC (alternating current) conductivity was found to rise with rise in applied frequency. On the other hand, the tangent losses falls considerably with rise in applied frequency.