Abstract
Barium hexaferrite nanoparticles are attractive for modern data storage and microwave devices due to their unique properties. Single phase synthesis of barium hexaferrite using sol gel auto-combustion route was optimized by varying sintering temperature and time. X-ray diffraction confirmed single phase hexagonal crystal structure of the sample sintered at 1100 degrees C for 2 h. Crystallite size, as determined using Scherrer's formula, was increased with the increase in sintering temperature while the porosity remained nearly unchanged. Field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) revealed that grain size was increased from nanometers to micrometers by rising the sintering temperature and the shape of particles was platelet-like hexagonal at 900 degrees C. Vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) exhibited that saturation magnetization and coercivity increased with the increase of sintering temperature. Maximum saturation magnetization and coercivity values were 36.80 emu/g and 5365 Oe, respectively, for the sample sintered at 1100 degrees C for 2 h.