Hydrothermal synthesis and magnetic properties of Co0.2Cu0.03Fe2.77O4 nanoparticles

Co0.2Cu0.03Fe2.77O4 nanoparticles with different morphologies have been synthesized directly via a simple hydrothermal method. The effects of pH value, precursor concentration, reaction temperature and surfactant on the particle size were discussed. X-ray diffraction analyses showed that the as-synthesized Co0.2Cu0.03Fe2.77O4 nanoparticles possessed typical spinel structure. Scanning electron microscope images showed different morphologies of the particles, including truncated octahedron and octahedron. It was indicated that well-dispersed Co0.2Cu0.03Fe2.77O4 nanoparticles can be synthesized at pH values ranging from 11 to 13, and reaction temperature of 160 °C. The particle size decreased from 18 to 10 nm after the addition of sodium dodecyl sulphate at the pH value of 9. The magnetic measurement showed that the as-prepared Co–Cu spinel ferrite nanoparticles possessed hard magnetic property.