Spinel zinc chromite nanocrystals with various grain sizes ranging from 6.8 to 32 nm have been synthesized using a formalin sol–gel method. Samples were characterized by x-ray diffraction, transmission electron micrograph, and superconducting quantum interference device magnetometer. An effect of particle size on magnetic properties is observed. The decrease in particle size leads to a large enhancement of magnetization. Antiferromagnetic transition disappears when the particles reach a critical size, which can be explained by the deviation from the normal spinel structure in the cation distribution induced by particle size.
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