Preparation and characterization of nanocrystalline CoFe2O4 deposited on SiO2: in situ sol–gel process

Abstract

In situ base catalyst assisted sol–gel process is used for the synthesis of nanocrystalline CoFe2O4 deposition on SiO2 particles. The SiO2 particles were prepared using base catalyst assisted sol–gel process and the consecutive formation and deposition of nanocrystalline CoFe2O4 on SiO2 particles was monitored using Powder X ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermo Gravimetric And Differential Thermal Analysis (TG/DTA), Scanning Electron Microscopy and Energy Dispersive X ray Spectroscopy (SEM–EDS) and High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM). The crystallite size of CoFe2O4 is calculated using Scherrer’s formula and it is found to be 8 nm. The HRTEM images and selective area electron diffraction (SAED) results confirmed the formation of nanocrystalline CoFe2O4 particles deposited over SiO2 spheres.