Effect of pH on nanocrystalline Co-ferrite prepared using urea and thiourea fuels by combination of sol-gel auto combustion and ultrasonic irradiation methods

The aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of pH on the synthesis of nanocrystallines cobalt ferrite by combination of sol- gel auto combustion and ultrasonic irradiation methods. Two different fuels, urea and thiourea, along with metal nitrates (oxidant) were used to prepare CoFe2O4 powders. The morphology of the resulting powders was investigated. The powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Phase pure spinel cobalt ferrite powder was obtained at pH values 6 and 7 after the calcinations at 750˚C when urea was used as the fuel; however, the samples obtained using thiourea fuel contained impurities. The average crystalline size was 21 and 37 nm, respectively, for the samples containing urea and thiourea.