Size Control and Magnetic Property Trends in Cobalt Ferrite Nanoparticles Synthesized Using an Aqueous Chemical Route

Cobalt ferrite (CoFe₂ O₄) is an engineering material which is used for applications such as magnetic cores, magnetic switches, hyperthermia based tumor treatment, and as contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging. Utility of ferrites nanoparticles hinges on its size, dispersibility in solutions, and synthetic control over its coercivity. In this work, we establish correlations between room temperature co-precipitation conditions, and these crucial materials parameters. Furthermore, post-synthesis annealing conditions are correlated with morphology, changes in crystal structure and magnetic properties. We disclose the synthesis and process conditions helpful in obtaining easily sinterableCoFe₂ O₄nanoparticles with coercive magnetic flux density (Hc) in the range5.5–31.9~kA/mandMₛin the range47.9–84.9~A²Kg⁻¹. At a grain size of~ 54 ± 2~nm(corresponding to 1073 K sintering temperature), multi-domain behavior sets in, which is indicated by a decrease inHc. In addition, we observe an increase in lattice constant with respect to grain size, which is the inverse of what is expected of in ferrites. Our results suggest that oxygen deficiency plays a crucial role in explaining this inverse trend. We expect the method disclosed here to be a viable and scalable alternative to thermal decomposition basedCoFe₂ O₄synthesis. The magnetic trends reported will aid in the optimization of functionalCoFe₂ O₄nanoparticles.