Ultrafine hexagnoal ferrite Ba3Co2Fe24O41(Co(2)Z) powders were prepared by a citrate precursor method. Single Z-type phase was found to form at a relatively low temperature of 1150degreesC, and kept stable between 1150 and 1270degreesC. X-ray diffraction (XRD), TG, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), VSM, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and XRF were used to characterize the powders. Co(2)Z ceramics with excellent magnetic properties can be obtained after sintering at 1150-1200degreesC. Microstructures as well as magnetic properties of the sintered bodies were investigated. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.