Structural, microstructural and magnetic properties of sol–gel-synthesized novel BaZrO3–CoFe2O4 nanocomposite

A novel 0.5(BaZrO3)–0.5(CoFe2O4) (BZ–CF) nanocomposite ceramics has been synthesized using sol–gel autocombustion and mixing technique. The structural analysis was carried out using X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique. The XRD pattern shows mixed perovskite and spinel ferrite phases with simple cubic structure for the BZ–CF nanocomposite. The calculated average crystallite size of the samples varies of the order of the nanoregime. The lattice parameter (a) and other structural parameter were obtained using XRD data and it is found that the structural data of pure parent ceramics were in the reported range. The surface morphology of grains of the present samples was examined using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The FESEM images show spherical particles with average grain size in the nanometer range. Compositional stoichiometry was confirmed by energy dispersive spectrum (EDX) analysis. Fourier-transform infrared spectra (FTIR) of barium zirconate (BZ) and cobalt ferrite (CF) confirmed the perovskite and spinel ferrite structure, respectively. However, the FTIR spectrum of BZ–CF nanocomposite confirmed the change in crystal structure due to mixed phases. The M–H curves recorded at room temperature using pulse field hysteresis loop tracer technique exhibits a weak hysteresis loop for BZ–CF nanocomposite, perfectly diamagnetic nature for BZ nanoceramics, and typical ferromagnetic hysteresis loop for pure CF nanoceramics. Graphic abstract The graphical abstract presenting the synthesis process, FESEM micrograph and M–H plot for BZ–CF nanocomposite.