Effect of Sonication Output Power on the Crystal Structure and Magnetism of SrFe12O19 Nanoparticles

Abstract

We reported the effect of the sonication output power (SOP), from 120, 180, to 240 W, on the crystal structure, morphology, and magnetic properties of SrFe12O19 nanoparticles synthesized by sonochemical process assisted with heat treatment. X-ray Diffraction analysis of the obtained powder showed the formation of Fe3O4 with low crystallinity degree, which increased with the increase in SOP, together in a crystalline phase identified as SrCO3. The formation of SrFe12O19 started at 1073 K, and was completed at 1173 K. However, hexaferrite was obtained with the secondary phases α-Fe2O3 and SrFeO2.5. At 1323 K, the secondary phases vanished, and a single phase SrFe12O19 was detected. Vibrating Sample Magnetometry analysis showed that the SrFeO2.5 phase caused the formation of a hysteresis loop known as the Perminvar magnetic hysteresis loop. At 1323 K, the powder synthesized at 120 W showed a specific magnetization of 67.15 Am2/kg at 1.43 × 106 A/m, and coercivity of 4.69 × 104 A/m, with a spherical-like morphology and average particle size of 56.81 nm obtained by Scanning Electron Microscopy analysis. The increment of SOP promoted a high degree of crystallinity and decrease in crystal size. Additionally, it promoted the formation of secondary phases, induced agglomeration, and modified the morphology of the particles.