Controlling the structural,microstructure and magnetic properties of barium W-type hexaferrite elaborated using tartaric acid precursor strategy

In this study, barium W-type hexaferrite (BaCo₂Fe₁₆O₂₇) nanopowders have purposefully fabricated through tartaric acid precursor method using inexpensive starting materials. In this regards, the impact of the synthesis conditions namely the annealing temperature and the Ba:Co molar ratio on the crystal structure, crystallite size, microstructure and magnetic structure was explored using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and vibrating sample magnetometer. For instance, well crystalline W-type hexaferrite was realized for the precursors annealed at a low temperature of 1100 °C for 2 h using two different Ba:Co molar ratios of 1.1:2.2 and 1.2:2.4. The crystallite size, the lattice constant, the aspect ratio as well as the unit cell volume were substantially affected with the Ba:Co molar ratio and the annealing temperature. Remarkably, the morphology of hexaferrite powders can be controlled by adjusting the annealing temperature and the Ba:Co molar ratio. Clearly, the microstructure of the formed powders was improved to a hexagonal platelet-like structure by raising the annealing temperature. Eventually, maximum saturation magnetization Ms?=?72.3 emu/g was accomplished for W-hexaferrite particles obtained with Ba:Co molar ratio 1.1:2.2 annealed at 1350 °C for 2 h. Wide coercivities (196–1097 Oe) were achieved at the different synthesis conditions.