Effect of starting solution acidity on the characteristics of CoFe2O4 powders prepared by solution combustion synthesis

Cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) nanoparticles were synthesized at the different pH values of starting solution, adjusted by NH4OH, using solution combustion method. Theoretical calculations and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis were carried out for determination and controlling the chelated species in solution. The phase evolution, surface area, morphology and magnetic properties of the combusted CoFe2O4 powders have been investigated by thermal analysis, X-ray diffractometry, electron microscopy, adsorption-desorption and vibrating sample magnetometer. The combustion rate mainly depends on pH which affects the phase and crystallite size. Furthermore, the specific surface area of the porous CoFe2O4 powders decreases from 66.25 to 27.09 m2/g by the increase of pH from 2 to 10. The combusted CoFe2O4 powders exhibit ferromagnetic properties which the highest saturation magnetization of ~63.7 emu/g was achieved at pH of 2. Furthermore, the coercivity increases from 1112 to 1225 Oe by the increase of pH due to the decreasing of crystallite size.