Cobalt ferrite nanoparticles: The physics, synthesis, properties, and applications

Spinel cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4, CFO) nanoparticles (NPs) are a major focus of fundamental science and technological innovation due to their distinctive mix of magnetic, electrical, and chemical characteristics. CFO NPs have outstanding chemical stability, modest saturation magnetism (∼80 emu/g), a high Curie temperature (∼793 K), and significant magnetocrystalline anisotropy. These characteristics, further improved by cation substitution and surface functionalization, enable a wide range of applications. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of CFO NPs, covering their synthesis methods, physicochemical characterization, surface modifications, and diverse applications. We compare the environmental…