Sol-gel auto-combustion synthesis of Ba–Sr hexaferrite ceramic powders

We report the mechanism involved in sol-gel auto-combustion synthesis of Ba–Sr-hexaferrite (Ba_1-xSr_xFe₁₂O₁₉; x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1, BSFO) ceramic powders through the analysis of the phases evolved during annealing of the as-synthesized powders, along with their structure and morphological studies. The XRD patterns of the as-synthesized samples indicate the formation of barium/strontium monoferrite ((Ba/Sr)Fe₂O₄) and maghemite (γ-Fe₂O₃) phases along with a minute amount of hematite (α-Fe₂O₃) phase. Annealing of these samples facilitates formation of BSFO phase through the solid state reaction between BaFe₂O₄ and γ-Fe₂O₃ phase. Interestingly, after annealing the samples with x = 0, 0.5 and 1, at 1000 °C for 2 h, we observed that phase pure Ba–Sr hexaferrite structure forms, but for samples with x = 0.25 and 0.75, high amount of hematite (α-Fe₂O₃) phase is observed, especially for x = 0.75. The reason associated with this could be the large difference between the ionic radii of Ba²⁺ and Sr²⁺ ions occupying the oxygen site. Furthermore, our study on annealing dependent phase evolution confirms that, this difference in ionic radii forbids the formation of a single phase Ba–Sr hexaferrite. The growth of clear hexagonal-shaped plate-like particles with varied particle sizes was observed for all the samples. The particle size variation may be due to the influence of the ionic radii difference on the sinterability of the samples. Our study provides a better understanding of synthesis mechanism of Ba–Sr hexaferrite samples.     

Structural,magnetic and magnetostrictive properties of Co1-xLixFe2O4 synthesized by cathode materials of spent Li-ion batteries

In this study, we investigated the effects of substituting Li⁺ for Co²⁺ at the B sites of the spinel lattice on the structural, magnetic and magnetostrictive properties of cobalt ferrites. The Li⁺ substituted cobalt ferrites, Co_1-xLi_xFe₂O₄, with x varying from 0 to 0.7 in 0.1 increments, were synthesized with a sol-gel auto-combustion method using the cathode materials of spent Li-ion batteries. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that all the Co_1-xLi_xFe₂O₄ nanopowders had a single-phase spinel structure and the lattice parameters decreased with increasing Li⁺ content, which can be proved by slight shifts towards higher diffraction angle values of the (311) peak. Field emission scanning electron microscopy was used to observe the fractured inner surface of the sintered cylindrical rods and the increased porosity resulted in a decreased magnetostriction. The oxidation states of Co and Fe in the cobalt ferrite samples were examined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. High resolution transmission electron microscopy micrographs showed that most particles were roughly spherical and with sizes of 25–35?nm. Li⁺ substitution had a strong effect on the saturation magnetization and coercivity, which were characterized with a vibrating sample magnetometer. The Curie temperature was reduced due to the decrease in magnetic cations and the weakening of the exchange interactions. The magnetostrictive properties were influenced by the incorporation of Li⁺ at the B sites of the spinel structure and correlated with the changes in porosity, magnetocrystalline anisotropy and the cation distribution.     

Synthesis of potential nanostructures based on strontium hexaferrite for electrochemical hydrogen storage

Today, the reduction of fossil fuel resources and the increase of their destructive environmental effects are important challenges. One strategy to this problem is application of new sources of energy supply. Hydrogen can play an important role in future energy supplies due to its unique properties such as clean combustion and high energy content relative to mass. In addition, hydrogen is considered as a green energy because it can be produced from renewable sources and is not polluting. The most important issue in hydrogen as a fuel is its storage. Hydrogen must be stored reversibly in a completely safe manner as well as with high storage efficiencies. One of the best ways to store hydrogen is using of new nanostructured adsorbents. In this study, first strontium hexaferrite (SrFe₁₂O₁₉) nanostructures are synthesized by sol-gel auto-combustion method. Then, the samples structure is studied using various techniques. Furthermore, the nanostructures are used as hydrogen storage materials. Using electrochemical techniques, the hydrogen storage properties of the materials are investigated in alkaline media. The obtained electrochemical results show that the maximum hydrogen storage capacity of SrFe₁₂O₁₉ nanostructures is about 3100 mAh/g.     

Fabrication of nanocrystalline LaFeO3: An efficient sol–gel auto-combustion assisted visible light responsive photocatalyst for water decomposition

Synthesis of nano photocatalysts, LaFeO₃ with orthorhombic perovskite structure by sol–gel auto-combustion method was demonstrated. The samples were characterized by PXRD, SEM, HRTEM, XPS and optical absorption studies. Photocatalytic water decomposition over LaFeO₃ nanoparticles activated at various temperatures without any co-catalyst were investigated under visible light irradiation (λ >> 420 nm). Highest amount of H₂ and O₂ evolved in 180 min over the LaFeO₃ activated at 500 °C was recorded to be 1290 μmol and 640 μmol, respectively having apparent quantum efficiency (AQE) 8.07%. The pronounced activity of nano LaFeO₃ samples towards water decomposition was consistent with BET-surface area and particle size analyses.     

Structural and magnetic properties of strontium substituted NiZn ferrite nanopowders

Sr-substituted NiZn ferrite nanopowders, Ni_0.5-xZn_0.5Sr_xFe_2.0O₄ (0≤x≤0.20), were synthesized by the sol-gel auto-combustion method. The effects of Sr substitution on the structural and magnetic properties have been investigated. Differential thermal analysis-thermogravimetry (DTA-TG), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) measurements were used to characterize chemical, structural and magnetic properties. The DTA-TG results indicate that there are three steps of combustion process. XRD results indicate that the lattice parameter increases, and the average crystallite size decreases with increasing Sr substitution. The Sr₂FeO₄ and SrFe₁₂O₁₉ impurity phases formed with excess Sr substitution. The saturation magnetization monotonically decreases with the increase of Sr substitution. Meanwhile, the coercivity initially decreases with the increase of Sr substitution when x≤0.15, and increases when x>0.15.     

Synthesis and Luminescent Properties of Superfine Sr2CeO4 Phosphors by Sol-Gel Auto- Combustion Method

Citric acid complexing sol-gel auto-combustion method was explored to synthesize superfine Sr2CeO4 phosphors using the inorganic salts Sr（NO3）2 and Ce（NO3）3 as raw materials together with citric acid （CA） as a chelating agent. TGDTA, XRD, SEM and photoluminescence spectra were used to investigate the formation process, microstructure and luminescent properties of the synthesized Sr2CeO4. The results show that the crystallization of Sr2CeO4 begins at about 800 ℃ and completes around 900 ℃ with an orthorhombic structure. When the calcination temperature is above 1000 ℃, Sr2CeO4 partly decomposes into SrCeO3. SEM studies show that the particles of Sr2CeO4 obtained at 900 ℃ are sphericallike shape and superfine with diameter below 100 nm. The excitation spectrum of the superfine Sr2CeO4 phosphors displays a broad band with two peaks around 290 and 350 nm respectively. The former peak is stronger than the latter one. This broad band is due to the charge transfer （CT） band of the Ce^4＋ ion. Excited by a radiation of 290 nm, the superfine phosphors emit a strong blue-white fluorescence, and the emission spectrum shows a broad band with a peak around 470 nm, which can be assigned to the f→t1g transition of Ce^4＋ . It is found that the emission intensity is affected by the calcination temperature.     

溶胶-凝胶自燃法合成MnxZn 1-x Cu 0.2 Fe 1.8 O 4 纳米颗粒的结构和磁性

采用溶胶-凝胶自燃法制备了MnxZn1-xCu0.2Fe1．8O4（x=0．5，0．6，0．7，0．8，0．9）的粉末样品，并对样品在空气中500℃退火4h．XRD分析表明，所有的样品都具有单相尖晶石结构，不同Mn含量样品的平均颗粒尺寸在30-~40nm之间．XPS表明：退火前后，样品中大部分Mn以Mn^3＋形式存在；而Fe则在退火前以Fe^2＋和Fe^3＋混合价态存在，退火后以Fe^3＋形式存在．退火使表层的Mn和Fe所占的百分比都增大．用VSM常温下磁性的测量，发现退火样品的矫顽力（Hc）随Mn含量的增加陡峭地增大．未退火样品的Ms随颗粒中Mn含量的增加先增大后减小，x=0．8的样品有最大的Ms．退火对不同Mn含量样品的Ms影响不同．     

溶胶-凝胶柠檬酸盐自蔓延燃烧法制备的纳米级Mn-Zn软磁铁氧体磁粉

应用溶胶-凝胶柠檬酸盐自蔓延燃烧法制备了软磁Mn-Zn铁氧体磁粉.X射线衍射(XRD)和透射电镜(TEM)分析表明,样品为纳米级单相Mn-Zn铁氧体,其晶粒大小约为25nm.振动样品磁强计(VSM)测得Mn-Zn铁氧体磁粉的饱和磁化强度Ms为60.6m2/kg,矫顽力Hc为15.2kA/m,这表明纳米级Mn-Zn铁氧体磁粉不具有超顺磁特性.由于Mn-Zn铁氧体磁粉还具有很好的活性,可以用来制备高性能的软磁Mn-Zn铁氧体材料.     

Impact of Zn doping on the dielectric and magnetic properties of CoFe2O4 nanoparticles

Owing to its unique magnetic, dielectric, electrical and catalytic properties, ferrite nanostructure materials gain vital importance in high frequency, memory, imaging, sensor, energy and biomedical applications. Doping is one of the strategies to manipulate the spinel ferrite structure, which could alter the physico-chemical properties. In the present work, Co_1-xZn_xFe₂O₄ ($x$ = 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4 wt%) nanoparticles were prepared by sol-gel auto-combustion method and its structural, morphological, vibrational, optical, electrical and magnetic properties were studied. The structural analysis affirms the single-phase cubic spinel structure of CoFe₂O₄. The crystallite size, lattice constant, unit cell, X-ray density, dislocation density and hopping length were significantly varied with Zn doping. The Fe–O stretching vibration was estimated by FTIR and Raman spectra. TEM micrographs show the agglomerated particles and it size varies between 10 and 56 nm. The Hall effect measurement shows the switching of charge carriers from n to p type. The dielectric constant (ε′) varies from 0.2 × 10³ to 1.2 × 10³ for different Zn doping. The VSM analysis shows relatively high saturation magnetization of 57 and 69 emu/g for ZC 0.1 and ZC 0.2 samples, respectively than that of undoped sample. All the prepared samples exhibit soft magnetic behaviour. Hence, it can be realized that the lower concentration of Zn ion doping significantly alters the magnetic properties of CoFe₂O₄ through variation in the cationic distribution and exchange interaction between the Co and Fe sites of the inverse spinel structure of CoFe₂O_4.