Morphological Structure, Optical and Microbial Findings of Ferrites

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Solid State Chemistry

Background:

• Strontium hexaferrite (SrFe₁₂O₁₉) is a key magnetic material.
• Salt flux synthesis is a common method for producing SrFe₁₂O₁₉.
• The effect of post-synthesis processing on material properties is crucial for applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of high-energy ball milling on salt flux synthesized SrFe₁₂O₁₉ powder.
• To analyze changes in structural, thermal, optical, and antibacterial properties.
• To determine optimal milling conditions for specific characteristics.

Main Methods:

• Salt flux synthesis of SrFe₁₂O₁₉ powder.
• High-energy ball milling at 350 rpm for varying durations (0, 1, 3, 5, 10 hours).
• Characterization using XRD, TG/DTA, FESEM, FT-IR, and NIR reflectance spectroscopy.

Main Results:

• Ball milling significantly affects the SrFe₁₂O₁₉ phase, reducing crystallite size from 84.9 nm to 22.2 nm after 1 hour.
• Milling beyond 1 hour leads to the formation of mixed SrFe₁₂O₁₉ and α-Fe₂O₃ phases.
• Significant changes in NIR reflectance, color, and thermal properties were observed with increased milling time.
• The 1-hour milled powder exhibited a notable inhibition zone against *Pseudomonas aeruginosa*.

Conclusions:

• High-energy ball milling is a viable method to modify SrFe₁₂O₁₉ properties.
• Short milling times (1 hour) are effective in reducing particle size and enhancing antibacterial activity.
• Extended milling times result in phase decomposition and altered optical properties.