Comparative study on the magnetostrictive property of cobalt ferrite synthesized by different methods from spent Li-ion batteries

• Published in: Ceramics international 2019-05, Vol.45 (7), p.8539-8545
• Main Authors: Dun, Changwei, Xi, Guoxi, Heng, Xiaoying, Zhang, Ye, Liu, Yumin, Xing, Xinyan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cation distribution; Cobalt ferrite; Lattice strain; Magnetostrictive property; Spent Li-ion batteries
• ISSN: 0272-8842; 1873-3956
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ceramint.2019.01.170

Comparative studies have been made to investigate the influence of different synthesis routes on the structural, microstructural, magnetic and magnetostrictive properties of cobalt ferrite, using spent Li-ion batteries as raw materials. Three routes are proposed in this study, mainly, sol-gel, co-precipitation and microwave assisted hydrothermal methods. X-ray diffraction patterns of the samples confirmed the formation of pure phase cubic spinel structure with Fd-3m space group. It is observed that the synthesis methods have a strong influence on the morphological features of the synthesized cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) nanoparticles and the fractured surface of the sintered cylindrical rods. Quantitative analysis, based on X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, indicated that CoFe2O4 had a mixed spinel structure. Magnetic parameters, such as saturation magnetization and coercivity, showed significant differences that were correlated with the different cation distribution, crystallite size and induced lattice strain. This study provides an alternative way for recovering Co from spent Li-ion batteries. The product of this process (cobalt ferrite) obtained through different methods has different magnetostrictive coefficients and strain derivatives, suggesting the potential application in the field of magnetostrictive sensors or actuator devices.