A simple synthesis and characterization of binary Co0.5Fe0.5(H2PO4)2·2H2O and its final decomposition product CoFeP4O12

This paper reports the synthesis of binary Co0.5Fe0.5(H2PO4)2·2H2O by a simple, rapid and cost-effective method using CoCO3–Fe(c)–H3PO4 system in water–acetone media at ambient temperature. Thermal transformation of the synthesized powder was investigated by TG/DTG/DTA and DSC techniques, which indicate that its final decomposed product was a binary cobalt iron cyclotetraphosphate CoFeP4O12. The FTIR and XRD results of the synthesized Co0.5Fe0.5(H2PO4)2·2H2O and the decomposed CoFeP4O12 indicate the pure monoclinic phases with space group P21/n and C2/c, respectively. The morphologies of Co0.5Fe0.5(H2PO4)2·2H2O and CoFeP4O12 powders appear non-uniform particle shapes and high agglomerates, which are different from the cases of the single compounds M(H2PO4)2·2H2O and M2P4O12 (where M = Co, Fe). The magnetic properties of the studied compounds are superparamagnetic behaviors, which are important for specific applications. The physical properties of the studied powders are comparable with those reported in our previous study, affected by medium and condition of preparation method.

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