Cobalt ferrite dispersed in a silica matrix prepared by sol–gel process

Abstract Composites of cobalt ferrite particles dispersed in a silica matrix were prepared by sol–gel process using tetraethylorthosilicate as a precursor of silica and nitrates as a precursor of ferrite. The wet samples of pure and doped silica matrix were prepared in monolithic shape. When the samples were dried CoFeO 4 particles were formed in the SiO 2 matrix, whose size increases with an increase in heating temperature, leading to an increase in the saturation magnetization and coercivity. The presence of these particles in the matrix reinforces its structure and changes its morphology as a function of temperature.