Ferrite Plating of (Fe, Ni, Zn)3O4 Films in Aqueous Solution by an “Improved” Spray-Spin-Coating Method

Abstract
Polycrystalline films of Zn- and/or Ni-bearing spinel ferrites were prepared at 80degC by ferrite plating based on an “improved” spray-spin-coating method. A reaction solution with a low pH value (i.e., ∼5.2) was used, thus enabling the use of oxygen-containing water instead of oxygen-free water. This saved the labor of preparing the oxygen-free water. The experimental method is thus “improved” over the previous one which required oxygen-free water. The composition parameter, x, in the Fe3-x Zn x O4 films is much larger than the corresponding one, x', in the reaction solution (x/x'=∼5), while x is smaller than x' in the Fe3-x Ni x O4 films (x/x'=∼0.4). Even prepared at 80degC, all films were of good crystallinity and of good magnetic property comparable to those prepared at higher temperature, as revealed by X-ray, magnetic and Fe57 Mössbauer measurements.