Anisotropy and Magnetostriction in Non-Stoichiometric Cobalt Ferrite

This study shows the effect of deviation from stoichiometric composition on the anisotropy and magnetostriction of cobalt ferrite CoxFe3-xO4. Deviation from stoichiometric composition caused the magnetocrystalline anisotropy to become higher for x = 0.7 and 0.8, but lower for x = 0.2. The amplitude, slope and shape of the magnetostriction curves and strain derivatives of the samples were also strongly affected. The present work indicates how variation from stoichiometric composition can be used to tailor magnetic and magnetostrictive properties.