Fabrication and characterization of rubidium ferrites by the solution‐based combustion method using diverse organic fuels

Abstract

In this study, an effort was made to compare the impact of diverse organic fuels on structural and magnetic properties of the pure rubidium ferrites. A novel solution‐based combustion method was proposed that offered simplicity, cost effectiveness, and scalability. Pure rubidium ferrite (RbFeO2) was prepared by using diverse organic fuels such as urea, ethylene glycol (EG), and oxalyl dihydrazide (ODH) to facilitate exothermic reaction for homogeneous product. It was then characterized by different physico‐chemical techniques like X‐ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron spectroscopy (TEM), Mössbauer spectroscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). Findings revealed that the choice of fuel significantly influenced the particle size and magnetic properties of the product. X‐ray diffraction patterns showed the formation of homogeneous nano‐powder confirmed by TEM analysis. TEM image analysis revealed that the average particle size of the final product obtained was 18 nm for EG, 80 nm for urea, and 40 nm for ODH, respectively. Saturation magnetization values were comparable to lithium ferrites reported in the literature. Mössbauer studies indicated that sample prepared by using EG has better magnetic properties for the application as soft magnetic devices.