Synthesis, characterization and magnetic properties of microcrystalline lithium cobalt ferrite from spent lithium-ion batteries

• Published in: Journal of materials processing technology Vol. 183; no. 1; pp. 117 - 121
• Main Authors: Bahgat, M., Farghaly, F.E., Basir, S.M. Abdel, Fouad, O.A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 05.03.2007
• Subjects: Ferrites; Magnetic properties; Microcrystalline materials; Spent Li-ion batteries; Ferrites; Microcrystalline materials; Spent Li-ion batteries; Magnetic properties
• ISSN: 0924-0136
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jmatprotec.2006.10.005

Microcrystalline Li/Co ferrite composite of about 0.14 μm crystallite size has been synthesized successfully by treating a mixture of cathode material of spent lithium-ion batteries and iron oxide at temperatures ≥1000 °C and for ≥4 h firing times. XRD analyses indicate that Li 0.5Fe 2O 4/CoFe 2O 4 composite is formed. Microstructure investigation using optical microscopy reveals the formation of homogeneous structure with non-uniform size and shape of two ferrite phases. At lower temperature (900 °C) and shorter time (1 h) impure ferrite phase with the presence of unreacted Co 3O 4 and Fe 2O 3 phases is detected. It is found that the coercivity (Hc) and saturation magnetization (Ms) values of synthesized Li/Co ferrite composite increased with increasing the firing time and temperature from 153.6 to 177 Oe and from 58.7 to 76.3 emu/g, respectively. Based on the obtained results, the prepared material can be used as a permanent magnet.