Phase evaluation of Li+ substituted CoFe2O4 nanoparticles, their characterizations and magnetic properties

Li+ substituted CoFe2O4 with the chemical formula Li3xCoFe2-xO4 were synthesized by sol-gel auto combustion method. The synthesized samples were annealed at 600 degrees C for 4 h. X-ray diffraction data were used to evaluate the structure of the prepared samples. Spinet ferrite phase or CoFe2O4 changes to ordered like lithium ferrite phase with increase in L1+ substitution. Lattice constant increases whereas particle size found to decrease with Li+ substitution. Infrared spectroscopy also confirmed the phase transition of CoFe2O4 after the incorporation of lithium ions. Substitution of Li+ ions for Fe3+ caused a decrease in the saturation magnetization from 69.59 emufg to 47.71 emufg and the coercivity increased from 647 Oe to 802 Oe. Resistivity and dielectric properties shows inverse relation to each other. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved