Exchange spring magnetic behavior in BaFe12O19/Fe3O4 nanocomposites

• Hard/Soft magnetic nanocomposite was prepared by simple mixing and heat treatment.
• Simple chemical method was employed for the synthesis of pristine hard and soft magnetic nanostructures.
• Microscopic studies show the presence of both phases.
• Exchange-spring behavior was observed in BaFe12O19/Fe3O4 nanocomposite.
• Evaluated using switching field distribution curve.

We report the investigation on exchange spring coupling behavior of BaFe12O19/Fe3O4 nanocomposite synthesized by simple mixing followed by heat treatment of individual ferrites. Morphologically tuned, well crystalline hard and soft ferrites were synthesized by simple chemical method and the phase composition, crystallinity, surface morphology and magnetic properties of the as prepared ferrites as well as the nanocomposites were studied by using XRD, FESEM and VSM respectively. Exchange coupling behavior is observed in the nanocomposite samples heated at 600 °C with simultaneous enhancements of (BH)max and remanence.