Microwave-Induced Combustion Synthesis of Hexagonal Barium Ferrite Powders

A novel ceramic synthesis technique, microwave-assisted process was investigated for the production of Barium Hexagonal ferrite (BaFe^Oip) powders with improved physical properties. Compared to conventional synthetic route, the new method significantly shortened synthetic steps and reaction time. This technique involves the reaction of stoichiometric amount of metal nitrates and appropriate dosage of citric acid at microwave oven and the whole process took only 15 min. The powders of BaFe^Oy were further investigated by X-ray diffractometer (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (IR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that the formation temperature of M-type Ba hexaferrite is significant low, compared to conventional furnace heating. The X-ray diffraction analysis demonstrates that the phase purity of the microwave-processed samples were determined and compared with a conventionally processed material. SEM observations indicate that the size of the synthesized BaFe₁₂O₁₉ powders is small and uniform distribution. Thus, microwave irradiation is proved to be a novel, extremely facile, timesaving and energy-efficient route to the synthesis of BaFe₁₂O₁₉ powders.