Dielectric, morphological and structural properties of lithium ferrite powders prepared by solid state method

Lithium ferrite (LiFe5O8) is one of the most known cubic ferrites which belong to the group of soft ferrite materials with high Curie temperature, presenting a square hysteresis loop, and high magnetization. It has attracted special attention due to its numerous technological applications in microwave devices, magnetic recording, transformer cores, rod antennas and possible applications in biomedics. It is also a promising candidate for cathode materials in rechargeable lithium batteries as well as low cost substitutes to garnet materials in microwave frequency applications.In the present work, amorphous Li2O–Fe2O3 powders were prepared via wet ball milling method. The as-prepared powders were heat-treated at temperatures between 400 and 1400 °C and their structure analyzed by X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. The morphology was observed by scanning electron microscopy. Electrical and dielectric properties, in the frequency range between 100 and 2 MHz and temperatures between 200 and 360 K, were performed, and the results related with the structure and morphological characteristics.

► The synthesis process used in this work is unusual.
► Thermal treatment permits to enhance the electrical properties of the ferrites.
► Detection of lithium ferrate by DRX and Raman spectroscopy is new.