Structural, magnetic, optical, and magneto-optical properties of CoFe2O4 thin films fabricated by a chemical approach. (September 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Illa, Ramakanth; Ješko, Radek; Silber, Robin; Životský, Ondřej; Kutláková, Kateřina Mamulová; Matějová, Lenka; Kolenčík, Marek; Pištora, Jaromír; Hamrle, Jaroslav
• Is Part Of: Materials research bulletin. Volume 117(2019)
• Page Start: 96
• Page End: 102
• Publication Date: 2019-09
• Subjects: A. Oxides -- A. Thin films -- B. Sol-gel chemistry -- B. Optical properties -- B. Magnetic properties; Materials -- Periodicals; Crystal growth -- Periodicals; Matériaux -- Périodiques; Cristaux -- Croissance -- Périodiques; Crystal growth; Materials; Periodicals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1016/j.materresbull.2019.05.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-5408

Abstract

Graphical abstract: High quality homogeneous CoFe2 O4 thin films have been prepared by cost effective chemical solution approach. After annealing at 500 °C or more, they show inverse spinel structure, saturation magnetization comparable with the bulk crystal value, and overall improvement in their crystalline properties. With increasing annealing temperature, the samples also show overall improvement in their optical and magneto-optical response. Highlights: Homogeneous thin films of CoFe2 O4 were fabricated using cost effective chemical approach. Chemical approach has been found to provide attractive alternative compared to other deposition methods. Chemical approach provides smooth films with good saturation and remanent magnetization values and optical properties. Tuning the chemical composition could lead to more effective fabrication and higher quality crystalline tuneable thin films. Improved magnetic, optical, and magneto-optical properties could be possible by tuning the chemical composition. Abstract: Homogeneous, smooth, and partially transparent nanocrystalline thin films of CoFe2 O4 were fabricated using a chemical solution approach with additional annealing for 2 h in a temperature range of 300 °C to 600 °C. Structural properties investigated by X-ray diffraction showed a single-phase spinel structure with a random crystallographic orientation for samples annealed above 400 °C. The ferromagnetic nature of prepared films was established from combined substrate with film hysteresis loops measured using a vibrating sample magnetometer. Optical and magneto-optical spectroscopic measurements revealed an improvement in the structural quality of the films after annealing up to 600 °C.