Crystal structure and magnetic properties of barium ferrite synthesized using GSPC and HEBM

In order to synthesize barium ferrite at low temperatures, a gel self-propagating combustion (GSPC) technique and a high-energy ball milling (HEBM) process are combined. After the resultants of gel combustion are milled and subsequently calcined, barium ferrite is formed. The morphologies of the milled powders are examined with transmission electron microscopy. The crystal structure of the powders during the milling and subsequent calcination is investigated with X-ray diffraction (XRD). The magnetic properties of barium ferrite powders are measured by means of vibrating sample magnetometry. The results show that the intermediate BaFe2O4 is formed during the milling at room temperature. After the powder is milled for 60 h and subsequently calcined at 600 °C, barium ferrite is synthesized. The powder size is decreased to 20–30 nm after the powders are milled for 10 h. The magnetic properties of the milled barium ferrite are improved. The coercivity is increased greatly with the maximum of 425.74 kA/m.