A comprehensive study on the magnetic properties of nanocrystalline SrCo0.2Fe11.8O19 ceramics synthesized via diverse routes

The effects of the synthesis techniques: sol–gel combustion (SG), hydrothermal (HT) and co-precipitation (CP) on the structure, homogeneity, morphology and magnetic properties of SrCo0.2Fe11.8O19 hexaferrite ceramics have methodically been explored by X-ray diffraction (XRD), laser particle analyzer, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). Structural analysis results revealed that the variety of the synthesis techniques evidently reflects variation in the lattice parameters and grain sizes. Moreover, diverse morphologies such as lamellar, disc-like and needle-shape for SG, HT and CT routes were observed, respectively. The maximum saturation magnetization (31.2 emu/g) and coercivity (4950 Oe) belonged to the co-precipitation technique owning to its higher phase purity, more homogeneity and larger crystalline size. Apparently, the softer ferrites were attainable by hydrothermal and sol–gel combustion routes, whereas, the co-precipitation technique led to harder magnets.