Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of BaFe12O19 Nanoparticles and Ethyl Cellulose-Based Magnetic Nanocomposite

Hard magnetic BaFe12O19 (BaFe) nanoparticles were synthesized by a facile microwave-assisted reaction. The magnetic nanoparticles were then added to ethyl cellulose to make magnetic nanocomposites. The nanoparticles and nanocomposites were then characterized using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The magnetic properties of the samples were also investigated using an alternating gradient force magnetometer. The barium ferrite nanoparticles exhibit ferromagnetic behavior at room temperature, with a saturation magnetization of 38emu/g and a coercivity of 2695 Oe. The distribution of the BaFe nanoparticles into the ethyl cellulose matrix increases the coercivity; hence it makes the sample magnetically harder.