A simple synthesis and characterization of binary Co 0.5Fe 0.5(H 2PO 4) 2·2H 2O and its final decomposition product CoFeP 4O 12

Abstract

This paper reports the synthesis of binary Co 0.5Fe 0.5(H 2PO 4) 2·2H 2O by a simple, rapid and cost-effective method using CoCO 3–Fe(c)–H 3PO 4 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 CoFeP 4O 12. The FTIR and XRD results of the synthesized Co 0.5Fe 0.5(H 2PO 4) 2·2H 2O and the decomposed CoFeP 4O 12 indicate the pure monoclinic phases with space group P2 1/n and C2/c, respectively. The morphologies of Co 0.5Fe 0.5(H 2PO 4) 2·2H 2O and CoFeP 4O 12 powders appear non-uniform particle shapes and high agglomerates, which are different from the cases of the single compounds M(H 2PO 4) 2·2H 2O and M 2P 4O 12 (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.