The copper (Cu) substitution in barium hexaferrite (BaFe12O19) crystals from the sol-gel auto-combustion synthesis is demonstrated as a cost-effective pathway to achieve alterable magnetic properties. Subsequent heat treatments at 450 °C and 1050 °C result in irregularly shaped nanoparticles characterized as the M-type BaFe12O19 with the secondary phase of hematite (α-Fe2O3). Despite the mixed phase, the substantial coercivity of 2626 Oe and magnetization as high as 74.8 emu/g are obtained in this undoped ferrite. The copper (Cu) doing strongly affects morphology and magnetic properties of BaFe12−xCuxO19 (x = 0.1, 0.3, and 0.5). The majority of particles become microrods for x = 0.1 and microplates in the case of x = 0.3 and 0.5. The coercivity and magnetization tend to reduce as Cu2+ increasingly substitutes Fe3+. From these findings, magnetic properties for various applications in microwave absorbers, recording media, electrodes, and permanent magnets can be tailored by the partial substitution in hexaferrite crystals.
Magnetic Properties and Morphology Copper-Substituted Barium Hexaferrites from Sol-Gel Auto-Combustion Synthesis