Polymetallic citric complexes as precursors for spray-pyrolysis deposition of thin ferrite films

• Published in: Applied surface science 2011-06, Vol.257 (17), p.7821-7826
• Main Authors: Milanova, M., Koleva, I., Todorovska, R., Zaharieva, J., Кostadinov, M., Todorovsky, D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adhesion; AFM; Annealing; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Diffraction; Ethylene glycol; Exact sciences and technology; Ferrite; Ferrites; Magnesium; Mechanical and acoustical properties; adhesion; Physics; SEM; Single-crystal and powder diffraction; Solid surfaces and solid-solid interfaces; Spray pyrolysis; Structure and morphology; thickness; Structure of solids and liquids; crystallography; Surfaces and interfaces; thin films and whiskers (structure and nonelectronic properties); Thin film structure and morphology; Thin films; X-ray diffraction and scattering; X-rays; XRD
• ISSN: 0169-4332; 1873-5584
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2011.04.036

► Spray-pyrolysis is a suitable method for ferrite thin films (40–800 nm) deposition. ► Mixed-metal citric complexes (ethylene glycol solution) are promising starting material. ► Uniform stoichiometric single phase MFe 2O 4 films (M = Cu, Mg, Zn) are produced. ► Film morphological grains are in the intervals 30–100 nm (Cu, Mg) and 0.15–1 μm (Zn). Thin films of ferrites of the type M IIFe 2O 4 (M = Cu, Mg, Zn) are prepared by spray-pyrolysis using ethylene glycol solutions of mixed-metal citric complexes of the respective metals at substrate temperature between 350 °C and 450 °C and post-deposition annealing at 480–750 °C in air. Phase composition, crystal structure, morphology and adhesion of the obtained films (40–400 nm in thickness) are studied by X-ray diffraction, SEM, energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis and AFM. Single phase dense uniform films with grains from 30–100 nm (M = Cu, Mg) to 0.15–2 μm (M = Zn) are obtained.