Synthesis of single-phase cobalt ferrite nanoparticles via a novel EDTA/EG precursor-based route and their magnetic properties

The nanoparticles of cobalt ferrite were synthesized by using ethylene glycol and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid precursors-based sol-gel method. In this study, special attention has been paid to investigate the role of the basic chemical parameters used in the manufacture of the cobalt ferrite by the sol-gel process, as well as the heat treatment on the structures, morphologies and magnetic properties of the obtained materials. These particles were structurally characterized by using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy and the results confirmed the formation of the spherically shaped nanoparticles of cobalt ferrite with a size of 14-39 nm. The synthetic method reported here has the capability of producing nanostructured pure single-phase CoFe2O4 powder at a comparatively lower annealing temperature and offers the potential of a simpler, more cost-effective route than other reported methods. It has been found that EDTA and EG to total metal ions ratio and heat-treatment temperature have a noticeable influence on the properties of the resultant particles. The saturation magnetization varies from 50 to 83 emu/g and the coercive field ranges from 525 to 960 Oe that are suitable for magnetic recording purpose.