Combustion synthesis and characterization of NiCuZn ferrite powders

In this paper, the feasibility of synthesizing NiCuZn ferrite powders by combustion synthesis (CS) reaction is demonstrated through igniting the mixtures of iron, iron oxide, copper oxide, zinc oxide and copper carbonate under different oxygen pressure values. The ferrite powders produced directly from the CS reaction and after annealing at 800 °C for 2 h are characterized by XRD, SEM, XPS and VSM. The results show that the spinel phase in the combustion products increases with the decrease of the diluent content and the increase of the oxygen pressure. Heating the as-synthesized ferrite at 800 °C for 2 h affords pure crystalline NiCuZn ferrite, which possesses better magnetic properties. XPS studies confirm that copper ions in the as-synthesized ferrite are present in the different ionic states of the A- and B-sites, while copper ion is divalent in the B-sites only for the annealed products.     

Modification of dielectric and mechanical properties of rubber ferrite composites containing manganese zinc ferrite

Spinel ferrites constitute an important class of magnetic materials. Polycrystalline ferrites are a complex system composed of crystallite grain boundaries and pores. Manganese zinc ferrites have resistivities between 0.01 and 10 Ω m. Making composite materials of ferrites with either natural rubber or plastics will modify the electrical properties of ferrites. Composite materials are ideally suited for many modern applications where ceramic materials have some drawbacks. The mouldability and flexibility of these composites find wide use in industrial and other scientific applications. Mixed ferrites belonging to the series Mn_(1−x)Zn_xFe₂O₄ (MZF) were synthesized for different ‘x’ values in steps of 0.2. These pre-characterized ceramic ferrites were then incorporated in a natural rubber matrix. The dielectric properties of the ceramic manganese zinc ferrite and RFC were also studied. A program based on G programming was developed with the aid of LabVIEW package to automate the dielectric measurements. The dielectric permittivity of the RFC were then correlated with that of the corresponding dielectric permittivity of the magnetic filler and matrix by a mixture equation, which helps to tailor properties of the composites.     

Microstructure and magnetism in barium strontium titanate (BSTO)-barium hexaferrite (BaM) multilayers

High quality multilayers of barium ferrite (BaM) and barium strontium titanate (BSTO) were grown in optimized conditions on thermally oxidized Si(1 0 0) and Al₂O₃ substrates using magnetron sputtering. As-grown films were amorphous and different annealing procedures were explored to stabilize crystalline phases. BSTO and BaM phases were identified using X-ray diffraction and cross-sectional scanning electron micrographs showed sharp interfaces between BSTO and BaM layers. Magnetic hysteresis loops obtained at various temperatures and field orientations showed a large coercivity (∼2500 Oe) consistent with the hard magnetic hexaferrite component. Hysteresis loops also revealed the distinct influence of magnetocrystalline and shape anisotropies at different temperature ranges.     

Static magnetic properties of Co and Ru substituted Ba-Sr ferrite

M-type hexagonal ferrite powders, Ba_0.5Sr_0.5Co_xRu_xFe_(12−2x)O₁₉ (x = 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0, 1.2) have been synthesized by conventional ceramic method. Magnetic properties have been investigated as a function of substitution of Co and Ru ions at applied external field of 10 kOe. XRD and SEM revealed hexagonal structure for these ferrites. The Co and Ru ions substitution cause increase in saturation magnetization and rapid decrease in magnetocrystalline anisotropy at lower substitution. The magnetic parameters variation has been explained by taking into account preferential site occupancy of sublattice sites by substituted ions. Curie temperature decreases with substitution due to weakening of superexchange interaction. The obtained hysteresis parameters suggest that the proposed materials cannot be used for recording applications.     

High frequency magnetic mechanism of Ni-substituted Co2Z hexagonal ferrite

The magnetic properties, especially the high frequency magnetic mechanism, of Ni-substituted Co₂Z hexagonal ferrite were studied. The polycrystalline Z-type hexagonal ferrite of Ba₃Ni_xCo_2−xFe₂₄O₄₁ (0 ≤ x ≤ 2) were prepared by solid-state reaction. The results indicate that Ni-substituted Co₂Z samples all exhibit typical soft magnetic character. Substitution of Ni for Co will turn the planar magnetocrystalline anisotropy of Co₂Z to uniaxial anisotropy when x ≥ 1, so that the permeability drops dramatically and domain wall resonance appears in the frequency spectra. With the rise of Ni amount or sintering temperature, domain wall resonance strengthens gradually.     

High-frequency ferromagnetic properties of multilayered FeCoHfO/AlOx films

For mobile communication, the ferromagnetic resonance frequency of magnetic films must be over 3 GHz. A suitable anisotropic field and high resistivity for high frequency applications were obtained by inserting insulator (AlO_x) layers into ferromagnetic layers (FeCoHfO). With this optimum configuration of three layers structure [FeCoHfO (400 nm)/AlO_x (10 nm)]₃, high frequency characteristics (permeability ∼ 100 at 100 MHz and ferromagnetic resonance frequency over 3 GHz) and high resistivity (ρ ∼ 1088) μΩ cm were achieved.     

Effect of PbO-SiO2 and PbO-B2O3 flux systems on the crystalline and magnetic properties of Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 ferrite prepared from the mixed powders

Lead borate and lead silicate were added to lower the sintering temperature of a Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ ferrite prepared from the blend of two types of powders and to homogenize the grain size. 5PbO·SiO₂ and 5PbO·B₂O₃ flux systems were added to lower the sintering temperature and diminish the magnetic loss at high frequencies. The ferrites were studied by bulk density, scanning electron microscopy and impedance analysis. It was found that the addition of PbO markedly accelerated the grain growth, while SiO₂ and B₂O₃ were found to be effective to obstruct the movement of grain boundaries and to minimize the grain size. Doping with PbO in the mixed powders appropriately increased the densification and initial permeability. The ferrite doped with 1% of 5PbO·SiO₂ possessed the lowest loss tangent (tgδ) in the range of 5 M-40 MHz and the highest threshold frequency.     

Synthesis of strontium ferrite nanoparticles by coprecipitation in the presence of polyacrylic acid

Strontium ferrite nanoparticles were prepared by coprecipitation in a PAA aqueous solution. The average diameter of the mixed hydroxide precipitates was 3.1 nm. From the thermal analysis by TGA/DTA and the phase analysis by XRD, it was shown that the appropriate molar ratio of Sr/Fe in aqueous solution was 1/8 and the precursor could yield pure strontium ferrite after calcination at above 700°C. The average diameters of the strontium ferrite nanoparticles calcined at 700 and 800°C were 34 and 41 nm, respectively. The magnetic measurements indicated that their saturation magnetization (57-59 emu/g) reached 85-88% of the theoretical one and increased with the decrease of temperature at 5-400 K. Their coercivity values (55-67 Oe) were much lower than those reported earlier, revealing the resultant nanoparticles were superparamagnetic. All the magnetic properties observed reflected the nature of nanoparticles and also concerned with their morphology and microstructure.     

Fabrication of aligned ferrite nanofibers by magnetic-field-assisted electrospinning coupled with oxygen plasma treatment

This paper describes a simple and effective approach to fabrication of aligned magnetic ferrite nanofibers by magnetic-field-assisted electrospinning coupled with oxygen plasma treatment. Large and flexible magnetic hybrid membranes of aligned Fe₃O₄/PVP composite nanofibers were fabricated readily by electrospinning mixtures of Fe₃O₄/PVP in a magnetic field. The PVP matrix could be removed either by calcination or by oxygen plasma treatment. Oxygen plasma treatment retained the original crystalline phase of Fe₃O₄, and large inorganic membranes of aligned ferrite nanofibers were obtained. The ferrite nanofibers showed ferromagnetic behaviors, and are promising in flexible magnetic membranes, magnetic separation, drug delivery, and magnetic sensors.     

Fabrication and characterization of Fe-Ni alloy/nickel ferrite composite nanofibers by electrospinning and partial reduction

A novel synthetic process has been developed to fabricate the magnetic alloy/spinel ferrite composite nanofibers. By employing the electrospinning technique and subsequent partial reduction, Fe-Ni alloy/nickel ferrite composite nanofibers with an average diameter of around 170 nm were successfully prepared. The synthesized composite nanofibers consist of the face centered cubic and body centered cubic phases of Fe-Ni alloy and the spinel phase of nickel ferrite, and have novel magnetic properties with much enhanced coercivity and saturation magnetization as compared with the pristine nickel ferrite nanofibers.     

Study of magnetic and magnetoelectric measurements in bismuth iron titanate ceramic—Bi8Fe4Ti3O24

Bismuth iron titanate—Bi₈Fe₄Ti₃O₂₄, belongs to the Aurivillius family of compounds, was synthesized by solid-state route and showed a ferroelectric transition around 776 °C. Magnetization measurements carried out from 14 to 300 K showed a slope change around 220 K. Hysteresis loops observed at room temperature and at 14 K showed narrow loops, indicating antiferromagnetic behavior. Dynamic magnetoelectric (ME) measurements were carried out at room temperature and at 77 K indicated a non-linear output signal. A temperature scan of ME output was performed from 77 to 300 K showed an anomaly at 200 K, which can be corroborated to the slope change observed in the magnetization data.     

Microwave-hydrothermal synthesis of perovskite bismuth ferrite nanoparticles

Hydrothermal microwave method (HTMW) was used to synthesize crystalline bismuth ferrite (BiFeO₃) nanoparticles (BFO) in the temperature of 180 °C with times ranging from 5 min to 1 h. BFO nanoparticles were characterized by means of X-ray analyses, FT-IR, Raman spectroscopy, TG-DTA and FE-SEM. X-ray diffraction results indicated that longer soaking time was benefit to refraining the formation of any impurity phases and growing BFO crystallites into almost single-phase perovskites. Typical FT-IR spectra for BFO nanoparticles presented well defined bands, indicating a substantial short-range order in the system. TG-DTA analyses confirmed the presence of lattice OH⁻ groups, commonly found in materials obtained by HTMW process. Compared with the conventional solid-state reaction process, submicron BFO crystallites with better homogeneity could be produced at the temperature as low as 180 °C. These results show that the HTMW synthesis route is rapid, cost effective, and could be used as an alternative to obtain BFO nanoparticles in the temperature of 180 °C for 1 h.     

Synthesis of single-phase Sr3Co2Fe24O41 Z-type ferrite by polymerizable complex method

Synthesis of single-phase Sr₃Co₂Fe₂₄O₄₁ Z-type (Sr₃Co₂Z) ferrite was realized by adopting the polymerizable complex method. Crystal structure of samples has been investigated by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD). Single-phase Sr₃Co₂Z ferrite was obtained by heating at 1473 K for 5 h in air. Magnetic properties were discussed by measurements of M-H curves with vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). Sr₃Co₂Z ferrite prepared by polymerizable complex method showed typical M-H curve of soft ferrite, with a saturation magnetization of 21.5μ_B/formula unit (50.5 emu/g) and a coercive force of 0.014 T at room temperature.     

Low temperature synthesis of nanocrystalline lithium ferrite by a modified citrate gel precursor method

Single phase nanocrystalline lithium ferrite is synthesized by a modified citrate gel precursor technique. Ferrite nanoparticles of average size of 8 nm, obtained after calcination of the citrate gel made by the usual method at 450 °C, show superparamagnetic behavior. However, small amounts of -Fe₂O₃ is formed as an impurity phase due to the initial formation of some -Fe₂O₃ phase. On the other hand, when the pH of the mixed solution is increased to 7 after the addition of ammonia solution, a lower calcination temperature of 200 °C is sufficient for the formation of single phase lithium ferrite nanoparticles of size 30 nm. No impurity phases are detected when the nanocrystalline powders are calcined at higher temperatures. The magnetic properties of the ferrite nanoparticles of different sizes obtained by calcining the powders at different temperatures are studied.     

Effect of sintering temperature on magneto-transport properties of La0.67Ba0.33MnO3/Ba0.7Sr0.3TiO3 composites

La_0.67Ba_0.33MnO₃-20 wt.%-Ba_0.7Sr_0.3TiO₃ composites were sintered at different temperatures in order to explore the possibility of improving the magneto-transport properties of the composites. Detail studies on the magnetic and electrical transport properties for the sintered composite samples have been performed. Results show that the sintered composites have identical ferromagnetic to paramagnetic transition temperature and filamentary feature of metallic phase. When sintering temperature higher than 1300 °C, the composites show Efros-Shklovskii-like variable-range hopping in the temperature range lower than Curie temperature. For samples sintered lower than 1100 °C, a dome-like resistance peak appears at a temperature well below the Curie temperature. Magnetoresistance behavior indicates the existence of spin polarized tunneling in the low temperature range. Considering the contributions from Efros-Shklovskii-like variable-range hopping and spin polarized tunneling, the resistance peak can be well fitted.     

Magnetic properties of NiCuZn ferrite nanoparticles synthesized using egg-white

A new process to prepare single-phase nano-sized ferrites, Ni_0.8−xCu_0.2Zn_xFe₂O₄ with x = 0.1-0.7, was developed using egg-white precursors. TG measurement showed that, the precursors must be calcined at 550 °C. XRD patterns indicated the formation of single-phase cubic ferrites with particle size in the range 28.7-48.4 nm. TEM image gave particle size agrees well with that estimated using XRD. FT-IR spectroscopy showed the characteristic ferrite bands. Hysteresis loops measurements exhibited an increase in the saturation magnetization value (M_s) up to zinc content of 0.2 followed by unexpected decrease, which suggests the preference of Zn²⁺ ions to occupy octahedral sites. The decrease in the coercivity (H_c) with increasing zinc content is attributed to the lower magneto-crystalline anisotropy of Zn²⁺ ions compared to Ni²⁺ ions. Temperature dependence of the molar magnetic susceptibility (χ_M) suggested a ferrimagnetic behavior of the investigated samples and showed a decrease in the value of the Curie temperature (T_C) with increasing zinc.     

Enhancement of the magnetic properties of Ni-Cu-Zn ferrites with the substitution of a small fraction of lanthanum for iron

The effect of lanthanum ion substitution for iron on the structural and magnetic properties of Ni-Cu-Zn ferrite is reported. The (Ni_0.25Cu_0.20Zn_0.55)La_xFe_2−xO₄ ferrite compositions with x = 0.0, 0.025, 0.050 and 0.075, were synthesized by nitrate-citrate auto-combustion route. Rietveld structure refinement was carried out to evaluate; La solubility in spinel, residual stress in sintered core, quantity of secondary LaFeO₃ phase formed and change in lattice parameters, etc. Density, crystallite size, grain size, residual macrostress and initial permeability were directly affected by the substitution. A significant increase in initial permeability was achieved by a small fraction of La substitution. The La solubility in the Ni-Cu-Zn ferrite lattice was found very low (∼0.1 atom/unit cell). Co-relations between magnetic properties and measured physical/structural properties were discussed.     

Microstructure and DC electrical conductivity of spinel nickel ferrite sintered in air and nitrogen atmospheres

In recent years, the development of inert anode materials has gained considerable attention because such materials are capable of producing only environment-friendly O₂ and saving energy during aluminum electrolysis. Nickel ferrite was prepared by a solid-state reaction as the inert anode in this study and its microstructures and direct current conductivities were analyzed in detail regarding the effects of different sintering atmospheres. A single-phase spinel structure was confirmed for all samples by X-ray powder diffraction. The grain sizes and the relative densities of the samples sintered in nitrogen increased by over 7 μm and 10.8%, respectively, compared to those sintered in air. The direct current conductivities of the samples sintered in nitrogen showed a drastic increase compared to those sintered in air, believed to be due to the effects of increased Fe²⁺ ion concentration at octahedral sites and the increase of the relative density.     

A simple and an effective method for the fabrication of densified glass-ceramics of low temperature co-fired ceramics

This study reports a new, simple and effective pre-calcined method for fabrication BaO–TiO₂–B₂O₃–SiO₂ low temperature co-fired ceramics (LTCC) at a sintering temperature below 900 °C, and with dielectric losses (tan δ) lower than 2 × 10⁻³. The research results have shown that the addition of 2–5 wt% Al₂O₃ could easily eliminate the porosity of the glass-ceramics because of the excellent wetting behavior between alumina and the BaO–B₂O₃–SiO₂ glass liquid phase in the low temperature co-fired ceramic system.     

Synthesis and characterization of Co-Sn substituted barium ferrite particles by a reverse microemulsion technique

A series of Co-Sn substituted barium ferrite particles have been successfully synthesized by a reverse microemulsion technique. The effects of heteroatom contents and precipitating agents were investigated, respectively. It was found that the presence of heteroatoms could enhance lattice parameters, affect morphology evolution and modulate magnetic properties. Particularly, an unusual saturation magnetization (>70.0 emu/g) could be achieved under low heteroatoms concentration due to preferential occupation in specific sites. Precipitating agents played a critical role in forming barium ferrite phase, only sufficient precipitating agents could produce high-purity phase. Besides, this method is not limited in the synthesis of Co-Sn substituted barium ferrite, it can be extended to other heteroatoms, such as Ni-Zr and La, and resultant products also show well crystalline phase and unique magnetic properties.