Microwave-induced combustion synthesis of Li0.5Fe2.5O4 powder and their characterization

Lithium ferrite powders were successfully synthesized by microwaved-induced combustion process. The process takes only a few minutes to obtain as-received lithium ferrite powders. The resultant powders annealed at different temperature and were investigated by X-ray diffractometer (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), thermogravimeter/differential thermal analyzer (TG/DTA), IR-spectroscopy, and thermomagnetic analysis (TMA). The as-received product shows the formation of as-received lithium ferrite with saturation magnetization (Ms) of 13 emu/g, whereas upon annealing at 650 °C for 2 h, the saturation magnetization increases to 71 emu/g. A high purity lithium ferrite was obtained when the as-received lithium ferrite annealed at 650 °C for 2 h, and had particle size ranging from 50 to 80 nm.