Effect of calcination temperature on the structural, optical, and magnetic properties of synthesized α-LiFeO2 nanoparticles through solution-combustion

Abstract

Lithium Ferrite nanoparticles (α-LiFeO2) are synthesized through the solution Combustion route. The fuel Urea is employed as a reducing agent for the combustion reaction. The prepared nanoparticles of α-LiFeO2 are investigated using Thermogravimetry, Differential Thermal Analysis, powder X-ray diffraction, Fourier Transformation Infrared, Fourier Transformation Raman Spectroscopy, Ultraviolet-Visible Light Spectroscopy, and Vibrating Sample Magnetometry techniques at different calcination temperatures. The Thermal Analysis thermograph revealed a combustion reaction occurring at temperature 324 °C. When the lithium ferrite was treated at different calcination temperatures, its structure, optical, and magnetic properties are changed significantly. All of the particle size, crystallinity, and saturation magnetization revealed an increasing trend, while the dislocation density, microstrain, the direct and indirect band gaps, coercivity and squareness ratio revealed reverse trend with the increase of the calcination temperature. These behaviors confirmed the increase of the magnetic domains, and the decrease of crystalline defects and strain of α-LiFeO2 nanoparticles. The ease preparation method, good optical and magnetic properties together with cheap, and environmentally benign iron sources, make α-LiFeO2 nanoparticles promising material for nonlinear optics, and memory recording applications.