Templated fabrication of NiFe2O4 nanorods: Characterization, magnetic and electrochemical properties

sNiFe2O4 nanorods were successfully synthesized by the thermal treatment of the rodlike precursor that fabricated by a coprecipitation of Ni2+, Fe2+, and C2O42− ions in a microemulsion solution. The morphology evolution that occurred during calcinations of the precursor nanorods was investigated with TEM (transmission electron microscopy) and SAED (selected area electron diffraction). The magnetization at 15 kOe increases with increasing particle size. Thus-prepared NiFe2O4 nanorods with small subunits exhibited higher discharge than that of the sample with bigger building blocks.

Graphical abstractUniaxially NiFe2O4 nanorods are obtained by coprecipitation of Ni2+, Fe2+, and C2O42− ions in a microemulsion solution, and subsequent high-temperature decomposition of precursor. Each nanorod is made up of NiFe2O4 small subunits. Magnetization of such NiFe2O4 materials may lead to their use in high-density magnetic recording media. The electrochemical properties of NiFe2O4 demonstrate that it delivers a large discharge capacity, which might find possible application as an electrode material in lithium cells.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide