The simulation and optimization of heat treatment of cobalt ferrite nanoparticles prepared by the sol-gel technique

The aim of this work is to simulate and optimize the heat treatment condition employing Design of Experiment in purpose to attain the crystalline cobalt ferrite nanoparticles as a single phase without impurities, to achieve the possibly smallest size range of particles and to reduce the electrical operating cost of process to the minimum. The sol-gel technique was employed to prepare the amorphous powder of cobalt ferrite. Design-Expert 7.0 was used to establish the design matrix and to analyze the experimental data. The relationship between the heat treatment parameters (temperature and dwelling time) and the resultant powder characteristics (purity and electrical operating cost) was established. X-ray Diffraction and Field Emission-Scanning Electron Microscope were used to investigate the structure and morphology of the resultant powder. The results confirmed the attainment of cobalt ferrite nanoparticles as a single phase with particle size range of (5-25) nm. A drop in the electrical operating cost of heat treatment process by 60% was achieved. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.