FUNDAMENTAL METHODS FOR COBALT FERRITE SYNTHESIS: CHEMICAL COPRECIPITATION AND SOL-GEL

Abstract

Cobalt ferrite (CoFe₂O₄), an inverse spinel metallic oxide, possesses distinctive magnetic properties that make it a strategic material for various technological applications. The modulation of its structural and magnetic characteristics is intrinsically linked to the synthesis method employed. This article focuses on two fundamental methods for CoFe₂O₄ synthesis: chemical coprecipitation and the sol-gel method. The operational principles of each technique, critical process parameters, their respective advantages and limitations, and their direct impact on the microstructure, morphology, and magnetic properties of the resulting material will be detailed. The objective is to provide a solid foundation for understanding these synthetic routes, which are essential for the research and development of functional magnetic materials.