Investigation of Structural, Morphological and Magnetic Properties of MFeO (M = Co, Ni, Zn, Cu, Mn) Obtained by Thermal Decomposition.

The structural, morphological and magnetic properties of MFeO (M = Co, Ni, Zn, Cu, Mn) type ferrites produced by thermal decomposition at 700 and 1000 °C were studied. The thermal analysis revealed that the ferrites are formed at up to 350 °C. After heat treatment at 1000 °C, single-phase ferrite nanoparticles were attained, while after heat treatment at 700 °C, the CoFeO was accompanied by CoO and the MnFeO by α-FeO. The particle size of the spherical shape in the nanoscale region was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. The specific surface area below 0.5 m/g suggested a non-porous structure with particle agglomeration that limits nitrogen absorption. By heat treatment at 1000 °C, superparamagnetic CoFeO nanoparticles and paramagnetic NiFeO, MnFeO, CuFeO and ZnFeO nanoparticles were obtained.