Correlation Between Size of CoFe2O4 Nanoparticles Determined from Experimental and Calculated Data by Different Mathematical Models

This study reports the synthesis of CoFe2O4 nanoparticles by coprecipitation method in the presence of Linseed Oil as surfactant. The capping agent was used to stabilize the particles and prevent their agglomeration. The characterization studies were conducted by in situ X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, thermal analysis (TG-DTA) and FTIR spectroscopy. The average particle sizes obtained by XRD data were used to obtain a correlation with size of CoFe2O4 nanoparticles determined, using mathematical equations based on different models. The statistical studies show that the cubic model gives a good correlation within the whole temperature range (100 – 850 °C). The result of these investigations was very useful for establishing the optimal calcination temperature. FT-IR spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TG) showed that the core-shell structure type of CoFe2O4 nanoparticles is stable below this annealing temperature. TEM analysis indicates that the CoFe2O4 samples during the calcinations treatment were spherical in shape and uniform in morphology and particles size.