Tailoring the structural and magnetic traits of copper modified BaFe12O19 nanostructured hexaferrites for recording media application

•Barium nanohexaferrites, with a chemical composition of Ba1-0.5xCu0.5xFe12O19 (x = 0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3) have been successfully produced using the sol–gel auto-combustion approach.•XRD patterns of synthesized specimens’ shows the formational of hexagonal-like crystal structure with P63/mmc space geometry.•FESEM studies of the BM2 and BM3 specimens reveal the presence of agglomerated grains with a hexagonal shape and an average size of ∼ 277 and ∼ 469 nm.•TEM image of BM1 nanohexaferrite illustrates the production of the nanoparticles that are agglomeratedand spherical, and have an average particle size of 53.32 nm.•Admirable values of Ms (28.31–59.97 emu/g) and Hc (684–2563 Oe) were obtained, making these nanohexaferrites as beneficial candidates for the recording media and EMI shielding applications.