Microstructure and magnetic properties of electrospun one-dimensional Al3+-substituted SrFe12O19 nanofibers

SrAlxFe12-xO19 (x=0-3.0) nanofibers with diameters about 100 nm have been prepared by electrospinning and subsequent heat treatment. With Al3+ ion content ranging from 0 to 3.0, the lattice parameters decrease due to Fe3+ ions substituted by smaller Al3+ ions and the average grain size calculated by the Scherrer's equation reduces from 65 to 37 nm. The magnetization shows a continuous reduction with the Al content and its value measured at 77 K is higher than at room temperature, which can be explained by Bloch's law. For the coercivity, its value initially increases, reaching a maximum value of 617 (298 K) and 547 kA m-1 (77 K) at x=2.0, and then reduces with the Al content further increase largely arising from the substituted Al3+ ion arrangement in different interstitial sites of the strontium ferrite unit cell. -- Graphical abstract: Al3+ ions substituted strontium ferrite nanofibers have been prepared by the electrospinning with a diameter of about 100 nm and the Al3+ ion substitution has a great effect on the microstructure and magnetic property of SrAlxFe12-xO19 nanofibers. Display Omitted Research highlights: → SrAlxFe12-xO19 nanofibers have been fabricated by the electrospinning. → There is a relation between the Al3+ ions substitution and microstructure. → The magnetic property can be tuned effectively by Al3+ ion substitution. → The magnetic property is influenced by measurement temperature.