Effect of Non-ionic Surfactant Concentration on Microstructure, Magnetic and Dielectric Properties of Strontium-Copper Hexaferrite Powder

Abstract

Strontium copper hexaferrite powder with composition Sr2Cu2Fe12O22 was synthesized in presence of a non-ionic surfactant Tween-80 using chemical co-precipitation route. The prepared samples were calcinated at 950 ºC for 4 hrs in a furnace and then slowly cooled to room temperature to obtain Sr2Cu2Fe12O22 hexaferrite powder. The effect of surfactant concentration on phase formation, microstructure, magnetic and dielectric properties of Sr2Cu2Fe12O22 were investigated using XRD, SEM, TEM, VSM, dielectric and low field AC susceptibility measurement techniques. The XRD analysis reveals the formation of mixed phases of Y and M type hexaferrites. The synthesized samples exhibited magnetic properties typical for soft magnetic materials, with saturation magnetization typical for Y-type hexaferrites. The dielectric properties were studied within the frequency range 100 HZ to 2 MHz. SEM images show formation of non-uniform, spongy and porous structure. The low field AC susceptibility measurements indicate that formed Sr-Cu hexaferrite powder possesses ferrimagnetic to paramagnetic transition at Curie temperature.