Effect of heat treatment on the structural and microstructural properties of the Co2-Y hexaferrites

TL;DR

This study investigates how heat treatment affects the structural and microstructural properties of Co2-Y hexaferrites, revealing changes in lattice constants, distortions, and crystallite size through X-ray diffraction and Rietveld refinement.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the effects of heat treatment on Co2-Y hexaferrites' structure and microstructure using advanced X-ray analysis techniques.

Findings

Heat treatment increases crystallite size.

Lattice constants align with reported patterns after heat treatment.

Distortions in the crystal structure are affected by heat treatment.

Abstract

The effect of heat treatment on the structural and micro-structural properties of the Co2-Y (Ba2Co2Fe12O22) was investigated by means of X-ray diffraction and the Rietveld refinement. The samples were synthesized using high-energy ball milling technique. Phase identification and Rietveld refinement of the samples confirmed the presence of a single Y-type phase that is consistent with reported patterns. Analysis of the lattice constants obtained using the Rietveld refinement confirmed the presence of inner distortion, which was responsible for increasing the lattice constants. However, after the heat treatment, the lattice constants were in good agreement with the reported pattern. The structural analysis using quadratic elongation revealed distortions in the crystal structure. The structural analysis revealed some differences in the cation-anion distances in some sites, while in other sites, these distances remained the same. The use of the Rietveld refinement to obtain micro-structural information about the size and the strain was reported. Heat treatment induced diffusion between crystal domains leading to an increase in crystallite size.