Synthesis of CoFe2O4 Nanoparticles via Thermal Decomposition of Co-Fe Bimetallic Glycolates: Effect of Using Different Cobalt Precursors on Their Morphology and Magnetic Properties

In the current study, the effect of using different cobalt precursors (cobalt acetate, cobalt acetylacetonate, cobalt chloride and cobalt nitrate) during the synthesis of Co-Fe glycolates on morphology and magnetic properties of CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles has been investigated. The Co-Fe glycolates, synthesized using different cobalt precursors on calcination, lead to CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles with different morphologies. Different analytical techniques like TGA, FT-IR, DRS, FE-SEM, TEM, SAED, EDX and XPS were used for the characterization of Co-Fe glycolates and CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles. XRD studies indicate the formation of cubic CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles. The Co-Fe glycolates synthesized using cobalt acetate, cobalt acetylacetonate, cobalt chloride and cobalt nitrate as cobalt precursors exhibit hexagon, nanosheet, flower and sphere, respectively. After characterization, a thorough study of magnetic properties (M-H and M-T) for the CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles was carried out. The M-H studies indicate “wasp-waisted behaviour” in CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles synthesized from cobalt acetylacetonate, cobalt chloride and cobalt nitrate.