Strontium hexaferrite flux single crystal growth

The results of the growth of strontium ferrite single crystals from the Na2O based flux using the method of spontaneous crystallization are presented. For the growth experiments the resistive furnace with the PID temperature controller was used. Iron oxide Fe2O3 and strontium carbonate SrСO3 were used as basic materials. Black single crystals with a typical hexagonal shape and sizes of 2-5 mm were obtained. Also black powders were obtained. The structural and morphological characterization of the grown hexaferrites was performed by X-ray diffraction and the scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. An X-ray analysis of the grown samples was measured with the scan speed 1°/min from 10 to 90°. For this aim the powder X-ray diffractometer Rigaku Ultima IV was used. Cell parameters were obtained: а = 5.8832(4) Å, с = 23.0361(14) Å, V = 690.51(6) Å3. These data are in a good agreement with the previously published data. An X-ray analysis of the Na2CO3 solution revealed additional phases. The grown crystals were tested with the scanning electron microscopy Jeol JSM-7001F. Uniform distribution of Fe and Sr ions was proved. Element distribution detected that the material had a single phase structure.