Effects of Heat-Treatment Time on the Structural, Dielectric, Electrical, and Magnetic Properties of BaM Hexaferrite

Abstract

M-type hexaferrite (BaFe12O19) powders have been synthesized by means of the sol-gel autocombustion technique and is heat treated at 1000 °C for different times (t = 1, 2, 3, and 4 h). Differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analyses are carried out to observe the weight loss and transformation of different phases during heat treatment. X-Ray diffraction patterns of the sample heat treated for 4 h confirms the formation of single phase M-type hexaferrite. The dielectric parameters and ac conductivity (σac) are measured in the high frequency range 1 MHz-3 GHz. The dielectric properties and ac conductivity are based on the space charge polarization according to the Maxwell-Wagner two-layer model and the Koop’s phenomenological theory. The dielectric constant (e′) and dielectric loss (tan δ) decrease, while ac conductivity enhances with the increase of frequency. The room temperature DC electrical resistivity of the sample heat treated for 2 h enhances up to 2.93 × 109 (Ω-cm) and attributed to the migration of Fe2+ ions to the neighboring tetrahedral sites and lowering the Fe3+ contents on the octahedral sites. The temperature-dependent DC resistivity of samples shows a normal semiconducting behavior. The saturation magnetization, magnetic moment, and coercivity of the samples are observed to enhance with the increase of heat-treatment time. Owing to these qualities, the synthesized materials may be considered useful for high frequency applications, recording media, and permanent magnets.