Role of pH and Sintering Temperature on the Properties of Tetragonal-Cubic Phases Composed Copper Ferrite Nanoparticles

In the present investigation we have studied the role of varying pH and sintering temperature on the properties of copper ferrite nanoparticles synthesized from metal nitrate solutions by sol-gel auto-combustion technique. The CuFe2O4 samples were synthesized with varying pH values (without maintaining pH, pH 4 and 8). The careful analysis of X-ray diffraction (XRD) result showed that the pH provides boost to develop copper ferrite nanoparticles. The samples without maintaining pH suggested the presence of three different phases. The samples with pH values 4 and 8 showed the tetragonal structure. Crystal structure phase transformation of copper ferrite (pH 8) nanoparticles was studied under different sintering conditions. The prepared samples were characterized by XRD, field emission scanning electron microscopy, FTIR and magnetization. These copper ferrite nanoparticles sintered at different temperatures show combinations of cubic and tetragonal phases. The thermal behavior of as-prepared samples was confirmed by thermo gravimetric/differential thermal analyzer analysis. The morphology of materials was understood by SEM technique. The room temperature magnetic measurement proves strong redistribution of Cu2+ ions. Sintering temperature alerts the saturation magnetization (M-s) to a large extent from 9.26 to 25.15emu/g.