Synthesis of cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) nanoparticles using combustion, coprecipitation, and precipitation methods: A comparison study of size, structural, and magnetic properties

• CoFe2O4 nanoparticles were made by combustion, coprecipitation, and precipitation.
• Size, structural, and magnetic properties were determined and compared.
• XRD, SEM, and VSM measurements were carried out.
• Nanoparticle synthesis method affects particle sizes and magnetic properties.
• Hc and Ms are greatest in the combustion method and least in precipitation method.

In this work the cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) nanoparticles are synthesized using three different methods; combustion, coprecipitation, and precipitation. Size, structural, and magnetic properties were determined and compared using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). XRD data analysis showed an average size of 69.5 nm for combustion, 49.5 nm for coprecipitation, and 34.7 nm for precipitation samples which concorded with SEM images. XRD data further revealed a reverse cubic spinel structure with the space group Fd-3m in all three samples. VSM data of samples showed a saturation point in the magnetic field of less than 15 kOe. Magnetization saturation (Ms) was 56.7 emu/g for combustion synthestized samples, 55.8 emu/g for coprecipitation samples, and 47.2 emu/g for precipitation samples. Coercivity (Hc) was 2002 Oe for combustion synthestized samples, 850 Oe for coprecipitation samples, and 233 Oe for precipitation samples. These results show that various methods of nanoparticle synthesis can lead to different particle sizes and magnetic properties. Hc and Ms are greatest in the combustion method and least in precipitation method.