Synthesis and characterization of silica coated potassium ferrite nanoparticles

Abstract

Silica coated potassium ferrite nanoparticles (KFeO2 NPs) have been synthesized by conventional stöber process. The orthorhombic structure of KFeO2 NPs has been retained even after silica coating, only a slight variation has been observed in the angle range of 20°-25° (occurring due to amorphous silica), as shown by the X-ray diffraction pattern. The crystallite size using Scherrer's formula of bare and silica coated KFeO2 NPs has been calculated to be 21.0 nm and 22.5 nm, respectively. The spherical formation of silica coated KFeO2 NPs has been revealed by transmission electron microscope. Presence of silica on KFeO2 NPs has been confirmed by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscope. A small magnetic saturation value of 3.67emu/g has been observed in the vibrating sample magnetometer analysis.