The Use of Co-Precipitation to Produce Nano-Mn–Zn Ferrite ([MnxZn1−x]Fe2O4) from Waste Batteries

Abstract

This study uses pure materials or waste batteries to produce a nanoscale Mn–Zn ferrite. Acid is used to dissolve the battery into solution and then co-precipitation is used to produce nanoscale ferrite. When the calcination temperature in an air atmosphere exceeds 600 °C, α-Fe2O3 is generated and there is a decrease in the saturated magnetization. Using waste batteries to produce [Mn0.54Zn0.46]Fe2O4 at a pH of 10, the saturated magnetization is 62.85 M (emu/g), which is optimal. At a pH of 10, the particulate diameter is largest, at about 40 nm. The stronger the crystal phase of Mn–Zn ferrite, the greater is the saturated magnetization. The ferrite crystal phase is analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The stronger the crystal phase, the larger is the average particulate diameter. The magnetic properties, the particulate diameter and the magnetic flux density of ferrite powders that are prepared under different conditions are studied. [MnxZn1−x]Fe2O4 ferrite powders can be used as an iron core and as resonance imaging materials.

Keywords

• co-precipitation method
• ferrite
• saturated magnetization