Synthesis and characterization of CoxFe1-xFe2O4 nanoparticles by anionic, cationic, and non-ionic surfactant templates via co-precipitation

Abstract

The cobalt ferrite nanoparticles (Co_xFe_1-xFe₂O₄) were synthesized by the surfactant templated co-precipitation method using various surfactants namely sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), and Tween20. Under the substitution, the Co_xFe_1-xFe₂O₄ particles were synthesized at various Co²⁺ and Fe²⁺ mole ratios (x = 1, 0.6, 0.2, and 0) with the SDS. The cobalt ferrite nanoparticles were characterized for their morphology, structure, magnetic, and electrical properties. All Co_xFe_1-xFe₂O₄ nanoparticles showed the nanoparticle sizes varying from 16 to 43 nm. In the synthesis of CoFe₂O₄, the SDS template provided the smallest particle size, whereas the saturated magnetization (M_s) of CoFe₂O₄ was reduced by using CTAB, SDS, and Tween20. For the Co_xFe_1-xFe₂O₄ as synthesized by the SDS template at 1.2 CMC, the M_s increased with increasing Fe²⁺ mole ratio. The highest M_s of 100.4 emu/g was obtained from the Fe₃O₄ using the SDS template. The Fe₃O₄ nanoparticle is potential to be used in various actuator and biomedical devices.