Suppression of the exaggerated growth of barium ferrite nanoparticles from solution using a partial substitution of Sc3+ for Fe3+

The effect of the substitution of Sc3+ for Fe3+ in barium ferrite on the size of the resulting nanoparticles was studied. These nanoparticles, with the nominal compositions BaFe12O19 and BaFe11.5Sc0.5O19, were synthesized hydrothermally at 90–240 °C or by coprecipitation under reflux at 140 °C. The precursors were obtained using (co)precipitation at room temperature. The sizes and morphologies of the precursors and nanoparticles were inspected with transmission electron microscopy, while their structures were confirmed with a combination of X-ray powder and electron diffraction. The samples’ compositions were analyzed with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The evolution of the particle size and its distribution with the synthesis temperature and time were studied in pure and Sc-substituted barium ferrite and correlated with the evolution of the magnetic properties. The Sc substitution in the barium ferrite results in the formation of magnetic nanoparticles with applicable magnetic properties and in a significant reduction of the exaggerated particle growth. This was explained on the basis of the reaction kinetics.