Tuning Microstructural Attributes of Spinel Cobalt Ferrite (CoFe2O4) Nanoparticles through Annealing Temperature

The study systematically investigates the influence of annealing temperatures, ranging from 500°C to 900°C with 100°C increments, on the microstructural characteristics of cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) nanoparticles. The nanoparticles, with sizes between 7-18 nm, were synthesized using the co-precipitation method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis reveals that higher annealing temperatures correspond to noticeable increases in crystallite size, lattice parameter, unit cell volume, and interatomic distances within both octahedral and tetrahedral sites. Concurrently, a substantial decrease is observed in the average theoretical X-ray density, dislocation density, and microstructural strain. This investigation elucidates the underlying physical and chemical processes driving these transformations. To explore and quantify the intricate relationships between annealing temperature and various microstructural attributes of CoFe2O4 nanoparticles, Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r) serves as a robust statistical tool. The study establishes significant associations and elucidates the strength and direction of these correlations. Regression analysis yields highly robust correlations (Adjusted R-Squared > 0.99) between microstructural features and annealing temperature. These correlations provide valuable predictive insights into microstructural characteristics, offering substantial support for optimizing CoFe2O4 nanoparticle applications across a temperature range spanning from 500°C to 900°C. This research contributes to the scientific understanding of materials engineering and offers practical guidance for applications requiring precise control over nanoparticle properties.