Preparation of CoFe2O4 magnetic fiber nanomaterial via a template-assisted solvothermal method

• CoFe2O4 magnetic fiber nanomaterial was successfully prepared via a template-assisted solvothermal method.
• The synthetic strategy is facile environment friendly.
• The goal product indicates much higher crystalline degree and has high saturation magnetization.

In this work, a novel template-assisted solvothermal method (TASTM) was used to prepare cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) magnetic fiber nanomaterial. Cotton fibers (CF) were used as template and Fe(NO3)3·9H2O, Co(NO3)2·6H2O as Fe and Co sources and EtOH as the solvent. XRD result indicates that the sample is single phase of CoFe2O4 with the spinel-type structure. SEM and TEM results reveal that the sample is hollow fibers and the wall is porous. The magnetic measurements result demonstrates that the sample shows enhanced magnetic property. These experimental results suggest that the template CF play an important role in the formation, crystalline structure, morphology and magnetic property of CoFe2O4. The synthesis is simple, low-cost and environment-friendly.