Single reaction mixture synthesis and characterization of CoF2O4 – BaFe12O19 nano-composite

(CoFe2O4)x(BaFe12O19)1-x (x= 0.0, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0) nano-composites was synthesized via single reaction mixture, utilizing sol-gel auto combustion method, with an intention to have superior structural homogeneity, and eventually to have single magnetic phase with enhanced exchange coupling between CoFe2O4 (soft) − BaFe12O19 (hard) phase. As-synthesized composite was thermally treated at 800 °C/4hrs, needed for the formation of hexagonal phase. X-ray diffraction (XRD) displays presence of both soft and hard phases only. Grain size for BaFe12O19 and CoFe2O4 respectively range between 50.2 − 54.5 nm and 45.5 − 56.5 nm. Obtained value of saturation magnetization (Ms), coercivity (Hc) for the studied samples is respectively: 39.8 Am2/kg − 75.5 Am2/kg and 501.2 Oe − 2587.9 Oe. Observed Ms, Hc values clearly show that single reaction mixture leads to better exchange coupling between soft-hard phases. Ms enhancement was also observed with increasing substitution amount (x). Observed results point out (CoFe2O4)x(BaFe12O19)1-x composite system as a good candidate for their potential applications as hard magnets.