Synthesis and optimization of the magnetic properties of aligned strontium ferrite nanowires

High aspect ratio strontium hexaferrite nanowires were fabricated by dip coating in alumina template. Fe/Sr ratio was changed from 10 to 12 in precursor, and the samples were annealed at a range of temperatures 500-900 degrees C in order to optimize the magnetic properties of strontium ferrite in the form of nanowires. Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) proved the formation of nanowires in the templates, while TEM images revealed a high degree of crystallinity. The ferrites were further characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS). Magnetic properties of the specimens were studied by a SQUID at 10-300 K. The results showed that the coercivity of packed density nanowires in the template was much less than that of the nanopowders. On the other hand, the coercivity of nanowires at ambient temperature was less than low temperature coercivity. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.