Influence of pH Adjustment Parameter for Sol–Gel Modification on Structural, Microstructure, and Magnetic Properties of Nanocrystalline Strontium Ferrite

Synthesis of nanocrystalline strontium ferrite (SrFe 12 O 19 ) via sol–gel is sensitive to its modification parameters. Therefore, in this study, an attempt of regulating the pH as a sol–gel modification parameter during preparation of SrFe 12 O 19 nanoparticles sintered at a low sintering temperature of 900 °C has been presented. The relationship of varying pH (pH 0 to 8) on structural, microstructures, and magnetic behaviors of SrFe 12 O 19 nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning microscope (FESEM), and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). Varying the pH of precursor exhibited a strong effect on the sintered density, crystal structure and magnetic properties of the SrFe 12 O 19 nanoparticles. As the pH is 0, the SrFe 12 O 19 produced relatively largest density, saturation magnetization, M s , and coercivity, H c , at a low sintering temperature of 900 °C. The grain size of SrFe 12 O 19 is obtained in the range of 73.6 to 133.3 nm. The porosity of the sample affected the density and the magnetic properties of the SrFe 12 O 19 ferrite. It is suggested that the low-temperature sintered SrFe 12 O 19 at pH 0 displayed M s of 44.19 emu/g and H c of 6403.6 Oe, possessing a significant potential for applying in low-temperature co-fired ceramic permanent magnet.