Abstract: (119 Views)
This study investigates the effect of sintering temperature on the structural, dielectric and magnetic properties of cobalt ferrite nanoparticles (CoFe₂O₄ NPs) synthesized by the sol–gel method. The samples were sintered at 400°C–1000°C for 2 h and characterized using XRD, FTIR, SEM, AFM, dielectric and VSM measurements. XRD confirmed the formation of a stable cubic spinel structure, with crystallite size increasing from 10.71 to 16.09 nm and porosity decreasing with increasing sintering temperature. SEM and AFM showed progressive grain growth and improved grain connectivity, with the sample at 800°C exhibiting the most uniform morphology before excessive grain growth occurred at 1000°C. The dielectric response showed decreasing real and imaginary permittivity with increasing frequency, while the sample at 800°C exhibited the lowest dielectric loss (tan δ ≈ 2 at 1 kHz). Magnetic measurements revealed ferrimagnetic behavior, with saturation magnetization increasing from 27.5 emu/g at 400°C to 68 emu/g at 1000°C, whereas coercivity reached a maximum of 715 Oe at 800°C. Overall, sintering at 800°C provided the best balance between microstructural uniformity, low dielectric loss and magnetic performance, making it a strong candidate for further evaluation in high-frequency and multifunctional magnetic applications.
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Highlights
- CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles were synthesized by the sol–gel method and sintered at 400–1000°C.
- XRD confirmed a stable cubic spinel structure, with crystallite size increasing with sintering temperature.
- The sample sintered at 800°C exhibited the most uniform morphology and the lowest dielectric loss at 1 kHz.
- Saturation magnetization increased to 68 emu/g at 1000°C, while coercivity peaked at 715 Oe at 800°C.
- Sintering at 800°C provided the best overall balance of structural, dielectric, and magnetic properties.