Fast synthesis of SrFe12O19 hexaferrite in a single-mode microwave cavity

The M-type SrFe12O19 hexaferrite has been synthesized by a microwave solid state reaction process a fast heating process in a home-made 2.45 GHz single-mode microwave cavity. Starting from SrCO3 and Fe2O3 mixtures (1:6 ratio), cold pressed samples have been heated up in the microwave electric field without needing any susceptor, demonstrating the good coupling of the precursors with this microwave mode in our experimental setup. After optimization of the experimental conditions, the properties of the obtained ceramics, including structure, microstructure and magnetic properties, are compared with those of ceramics synthesized by conventional solid state reaction. With that microwave process, it is found that SrFe12O19 ceramics prepared in less than 30 min exhibit magnetic properties similar to those of the same compound produced by a conventional process. This highlights the potentialities of the technique to synthesize hexaferrite ceramics.