Structural studies on the yttrium-doped cobalt ferrite powders synthesized by sol–gel combustion method

Abstract

Y0.2CoFe1.8O4 nanopowders were prepared using a sol–gel combustion method. Metal nitrates, such as yttrium nitrate, cobalt nitrate and ferric nitrate, were used as the source materials. Citric acid and polyvinyl alcohol were used as the burning agent and agglomeration reducing agent, respectively. The pH of the precursor was maintained at 7. The mean crystallite size of the prepared ferrite was in the range of ∼20–70nm. The inverse spinel structure, cubic morphology, and the identification of functional groups of the yttrium-doped cobalt ferrite were analyzed systematically using several analytical tools.