Template preparation of strontium hexaferrite (SrFe12O19) micro/nanostructures: Characterization, synthesis mechanism and magnetic properties

Using electrospun thermoplastic ester elastomer (TPEE) micro/nanofibers as the template, strontium hexaferrite micro/nanostructures with different morphologies were prepared successfully by a combination process composed of sol–gel precursor coating technique and subsequent calcination. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) were used to characterize the morphology, crystalloid structure and the magnetic properties of samples. The relation between the fabricated structure morphologies and TPEE micro/nanofibers properties was studied. It was believed that the hydrogen bond effect competition between TPEE/precursors and precursors/precursors played an important role on the formation of the obtained structures. In addition, the influence of annealing time and annealing rate on the magnetic properties of the samples obtained was investigated. The structures thus fabricated can be potential materials in many fields, drug delivery and photocatalysts for example.