Synthesis and magnetic properties of copper cobaltite (CuCo2O4) fibers by electrospinning

Copper cobaltite (CuCo2O4) fibers with diameters of 500-800 nm were successfully synthesized by the combination of the electrospinning process followed by calcination at 600-800 degrees C for 2 h. Thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis results showed that weight loss was stable at around 600 degrees C. The X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results confirmed the formation of spinel CuCo2O4, with the impurity phase of CuO also detected. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy results revealed that the CuCo2O4 fibers had a rough surface of combined nanograins after calcination. Vibrating sample magnetometer measurements determined that the samples exhibited ferrimagnetic and antiferromagnetic behavior at 600-800 degrees C. The saturation magnetization, remnant magnetization, coercivity, and the anisotropy constant decreased with increasing calcination. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.