Tuning the Properties of Ba-M Hexaferrite BaFe11.5Co0.5O19: A Road Towards Diverse Applications

Abstract

The development of hexaferrite nanoparticles is scrutinized as potential sorbents for the removal of chromium (Cr) ions from aqueous chromium-containing solutions in a batch adsorption experiment. The transition metal Co doped BaFe ₁₂O ₁₉ hexaferrite compounds (BHF) have been synthesized successfully via citrate auto combustion technique. The structure, surface morphology and magnetic properties of the samples were studied. X-ray diffraction pattern ratifies the existence of hexagonal phase as a main phase for the prepared samples. The average crystallite sizes are found in the range of 47–49 nm. The high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), as well as the Fourier, transform infrared spectrophotometry results confirm an M-type hexagonal structure existing. The χ-T indicates the temperature-dependent ferromagnetic behavior of BHF nanoparticles. The derivative shows a single transition temperature Tc at 698 °C, and 710 °C for BHF and BCHF respectively. The prepared samples are utilized as an adsorbent for the removal of Cr (VI) from the aqueous solution. The maximum adsorption capacity (qm) of Cr (VI) on the nano hexaferrite is higher than that of various other adsorbents testified in the literature. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model gives a better fit to the experimental data.