Crystal Structure and Magnetic Properties of Magnesium Ferrite (MgFe2O4) Nanoparticles Synthesized by Coprecipitation Method

Abstract

MgFe2O4 has been successfully synthesized by coprecipitation method. The Precursors used are MgCl2.6H2O (magnesium chloride hexa-hydrate, Mr = 203.205 g/mol) and FeCl3. 6H2O (ferric chloride hexa-hydrate, Mr = 270.19 g/mol) and NaOH (sodium hydroxide, Mr = 39.99 g/mol) as coprecipitant. This synthesis process was done by varying the NaOH concentration, the synthesis temperature and the stirring duration. XRD analysis results showed that the grain size increases with synthesis temperature and decreases with the increase in the concentration of NaOH and the duration of stirring. The smallest grain size is 2.1 nm and the largest grain size is 10 nm. Analysis of magnetic properties MgFe2O4 by Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM) showed that nanoparticles MgFe2O4 can be assumed in multidomain region, with relationships. Sample with the smallest particle size 2.1 nm, has highest Hc value 133.9 Oe. The maximum magnetization at H = 15 kOe and remanent magnetization (Mr) increase with the degree of crystallinity of the sample. Although there is also the effect of the presence of hematite phase (α-Fe2O3) and the grain size. Magnesium ferrite magnetic nanoparticles (MgFe2O4) has great potential to be applied as adsorption, sensors, drug delivery, semiconductor materials and other magnetic technology