Investigation of energy band-gap of the composite of hexaferrites and polyaniline

The Bi–Al doped M-type hexaferrite (BaFe11.8Bi0.1Al0.1O19) was prepared by the use of sol gel auto combustion process. The prepared sample was sintered at 1000 °C for 5 h. Polyaniline was synthesized by oxidative polymerization. Mechanical blending was used to synthesize BaFe11.8Bi0.1Al0.1O19-PANI composite. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope, Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and UV–vis-NIR spectroscopy were used for structural and optical analysis. XRD spectra show pure single phase of M-type hexagonal ferrites. The presence of bands in FTIR spectra in the range of 400–600 cm−1 and 800–1600 cm−1 indicate possible formation of hexaferrite and PANI. The band gaps were found nearly 2.24, 2.36 and 2.21 eV for HP1, HP2 and HP3 respectively.