Magnetic properties of substituted strontium ferrite nanoparticles and thin films

SrFe_12−x(Zr_0.5Mg_0.5)_xO₁₉ nanoparticles and thin films with x=0-2.5 were synthesized by a sol-gel method on thermally oxidized silicon wafer (Si/SiO₂). Structural and magnetic characteristics of synthesized samples were studied employing x-rays diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), magnetic susceptometer, atomic force microscopy (AFM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). TEM micrographs display that the narrow size distribution of ferrite nanoparticles with average particle size of 50 nm were fabricated. Fitting obtained data of effective magnetic susceptibility by Vogel-Fulcher law confirms the existence of strong magnetic interaction among fine particles. XRD patterns and FE-SEM micrographs demonstrated that single phase c-axis hexagonal ferrite films with rather narrow grain size distribution were obtained. AFM micrographs exhibited that the surface roughness increases with an increase in Zr-Mg content. It was found from the VSM graphs that with an increase in substitution contents the coercivity decreases, while the saturation of magnetization increases. The Henkle plots confirms the existence of exchange coupling among nano-grain in ferrite thin films.     

Effect of annealing conditions on structural and magnetic properties of laser ablated copper ferrite thin films

The effect of annealing conditions on structural and magnetic properties of copper ferrite thin films on (100) Si substrates was examined in detail. After deposition, the ferrite thin films were post-annealed in vacuum and in oxygen atmosphere for several hours. It is found that the crystal structure of CuFe₂O₄ thin films changed drastically depending on different heating process. A maximum magnetization was achieved in the film that was vacuum annealed and it decreased remarkably after oxygen annealing.     

Preparation, and magnetic and electromagnetic properties of La-doped strontium ferrite films

SrLa_xFe_12−xO₁₉ films (x=0-1.0) with large magneto-crystalline anisotropy were synthesized on SiO₂ substrate by sol-gel and self-propagating high-temperature synthesis technique. The films were characterized by various experimental techniques including X-ray diffraction analysis, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope, Atomic Force Microscopy, Vibrating Sample Magnetometry and vector network analyzer. The results show that La ions completely enter into strontium ferrite lattice without changing the ferrite appearance; its grain size is approximately 40-80 nm, its length is 100 nm; the magnetoplumbite structure is proved through testing a concertina form of the crystal grain; the maximum coercivity is 5986 Oe at x=0.2; La-doped films possess a wider microwave absorption frequency range with better gross loss angle tangent (tan δ>0.1), from 9 to 10.5 GHz at x=0.2, where the maximum value of tan δ reaches 0.2709. The La-doped films reach smaller nanometer size, better magnetic properties and microwave absorption properties with the doping of lanthanum.     

The role of copper ions on the structural and magnetic characteristics of MgZn ferrite nanoparticles and thin films

In this study Cu_xMg_0.5−xZn_0.5Fe₂O₄ (x=0-0.5) nanoparticles and thin films were prepared by sol-gel processing. The morphologies of nanoparticles were observed by transmission electron microscope (TEM). The Mössbauer spectroscopy (MS) was employed to determine the site preference of the constitutive elements. Magnetic dynamics of the nanoparticles was studied by the measurement of AC magnetic susceptibility versus temperature at different frequencies. The phenomenological Néel-Brown and Vogel-Fulcher models were employed to distinguish between interacting or non-interacting system. Results exhibited that there is strong interaction between fine particles. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of the thin films indicate the formation of single-phase cubic spinel structure. Atomic force microscope (AFM) was employed to evaluate the surface morphologies of the prepared thin films. Vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) was employed to probe magnetic properties of samples. It was found that with an increase in the amount of copper, the saturation of magnetization and initial permeability increase.     

Influence of copper cations on the magnetic properties of NiCuZn ferrite nanoparticles

Ni_0.6−xCu_xZn_0.4Fe₂O₄ (x=0-0.5) ferrite nanoparticles were prepared, employing a reverse micelle process. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy evaluations demonstrated that single phase spinel ferrites with narrow size distribution were obtained. Vibrating sample magnetometer was employed to probe the magnetic properties of the samples. It was found that with an increase in copper content, the saturation magnetization decreases. Magnetic dynamics of the samples was studied by measuring a.c. magnetic susceptibility versus temperature at different frequencies. The phenomenological Néel-Brown and Vogel-Fulcher models were employed to distinguish between the interacting or non-interacting systems. The system exhibits that there is strong interaction among fine particles.     

Cationic behavior and the related magnetic and magnetotransport properties of manganese ferrite thin films

Manganese ferrite (Mn_xFe_3−xO₄) thin films have been prepared by a sol–gel method. The samples (x≤1.25) are polycrystalline containing well-defined grains and maintain cubic spinel structure with increasing lattice constant with x. The substituting Mn ions were found to have multi-valence, +2 and +3, by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The saturation magnetization of the Mn-substituted films measured by vibrating sample magnetometry was found to increase from that of Fe₃O₄ at low x and then gradually decreases as x increases further. Such magnetic behavior can be explained in terms of the dominance of Mn²⁺ species over Mn³⁺ at low x and the gradual decrease in the population ratio Mn²⁺/Mn³⁺ as x increases. The observed decrease in the coercivity with increasing x implies the increase in octahedral Mn²⁺ population. The Mn-substituted samples exhibit magnetoresistance (MR) effect the maximum intensity of which is gradually reduced with x from that of Fe₃O₄. All samples show increasing MR with increasing external field (H), while their magnetization curves start to saturate near H=2 kOe. Such increasing MR with H can be explained in terms of the tunneling of spin-polarized carriers across grain boundaries. The reduction in the MR intensity with x can be partly explained in terms of the decrease in spin-polarized carrier density associated with octahedral occupation of Mn²⁺ ions.     

Remarkable influence of carbon nanotubes on microwave absorption characteristics of strontium ferrite/CNT nanocomposites

In this research work, magnetic multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) nanocomposites have been created by the assembly of Zn-Sn substituted strontium ferrite film onto the surface of MWCNTs. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy were used to demonstrate the successful attachment of ferrite films to MWCNTs. Mössbauer spectroscopy indicates that the Zn-Sn ions preferentially occupy the 2b and 4f₂ sites. Vibrating sample magnetometry confirms the relatively strong dependence of saturation magnetization with the volume percentage of MWCNTs. Microwave absorption of the MWCNTs/doped strontium ferrite nanocomposites is evidently enhanced compared to that of pure MWCNTs and ferrite. The maximum reflection loss increased significantly with an increase in volume percentage of MWCNTs in nanocomposites. Reflection loss evaluations indicated that the nanocomposites display a great potential application as wide-band electromagnetic wave absorbers.     

Effect of pH value on the structural and magnetic properties of nanocrystalline strontium hexaferrite thin films

Strontium hexaferrite SrFe₁₂O₁₉ thin films have been synthesized at different pH, adjusted by NH₄OH, on the Si (1 0 0) substrate using a spin coating sol-gel process. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis and theoretical calculations were conducted for determination and controlling metal citrates in solution precursors. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and vibrating sample magnetometer were applied to evaluate the composition, microstructure, crystallite size and magnetic properties of the SrFe₁₂O₁₉ thin films. Using the solution with pH 7, the approximately single phase strontium hexaferrite thin films with optimum physical properties can be obtained at calcination temperature of 800 °C. The SrFe₁₂O₁₉ thin films derived from the solution with pH 7 after calcination at 800 °C exhibited crystallite size of 42 nm and magnetic properties of M_s=267 emu/cm³ (at 10 kOe), M_r=134 emu/cm³ and H_c=4290 Oe.     

Structure and magnetic properties of Co-substituted NiZn ferrite thin films synthesized by the sol-gel process

Co-substituted NiZn ferrite thin films, Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Co_xFe_2−xO₄ (0≤x≤0.2), were synthesized by the sol-gel process. The structure and magnetic properties of Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Co_xFe_2−xO₄ ferrite thin films have been investigated. The diffraction peak shifted towards the lower angle and the lattice parameter increased with Co substitution. There is little influence of Co substitution on the microstructure of NiZn ferrite thin films. The saturation magnetization gradually increases with the increase in Co substitution when x≤0.10, and decreases when x>0.10. Meanwhile, the coercivity initially decreases with the increase in Co substitution when x≤0.10, and increases when x>0.10.     

Room temperature single-step electrosynthesized copper ferrite thin films and study of their magnetic properties

A single-step electrosynthesis of copper ferrite thin films from aqueous bath (which avoids anodization step for an incorporation of oxygen species into deposit) has been carried out at room temperature. Observed tetrahedral structured nanocrystalline copper ferrite thin films showed smooth, uniform and compact surface morphology. After annealing, increase in dielectric constant and reduced dielectric loss were observed. The saturation magnetization for annealed films was 292 emu/cm³ comparable to that of other reported ferrites.     

Preparation and characterization of ZnSn-substituted barium ferrite thin films

The preparation of ZnSn-substituted barium ferrite films by sputtering deposition was studied. The as-sputtered films were amorphous, and annealing at a minimum of 750 °C was required to crystallize the films, based on the X-ray diffraction analysis and the magnetic measurements. Scanning electron microscopy combined with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopic microanalysis confirmed that the films were single phase with the composition BaZn_xSn_xFe_12−2xO₁₉, x=0.2−0.3, and their thicknesses were 0.4-1.0 μm when annealed at 750-900 °C. Atomic and magnetic force microscopy studies showed no significant grain growth upon annealing and that the films consisted of single-domain grains forming interaction-cluster-type domains. The natural ferromagnetic resonance frequency was determined at around 4 GHz, together with substantial magnetic losses that make these films promising candidates for microwave absorbers.     

Structural and magnetic properties of NiZn ferrite films with high saturation magnetization deposited by magnetron sputtering

NiZn ferrite films with well-defined spinel crystal structure were in situ fabricated by radio frequency magnetron sputtering at room temperature. The microstructures and static magnetic properties of the films’ dependence on the partial pressure ratio of argon to oxygen gas were investigated. Scanning electron microscope images indicated that all the films consisted of particles nanocrystalline in nature and the sizes increase as the ratio increases in the range of 10-25 nm. A large saturation magnetization (237.2 emu/cm³) and a minimum of coercivity (68 Oe) were obtained when the ferrite film was deposited in the ratio of 4:1. The complex permeability values (μ = μ′−iμ″) of the film were measured at frequency up to 5 GHz. It was shown that the film exhibited a large real part of permeability μ′ of 18 and a very high resonance frequency f_r of 1.2 GHz. The results suggested that the NiZn ferrite film as-deposited in the ratio of 4:1 may be promised as magnetic medium in the application of integrated circuits operating at microwave frequencies.     

Magnetic properties of cobalt substituted M-type barium hexaferrite prepared by co-precipitation

The co-precipitation and solid state methods were used in the synthesis of barium hexaferrite (BaM). Phase pure BaM was obtained with 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30 wt% cobalt oxide (Co₃O₄). The addition of Co^2+/3+ ions to the BaM increased the permeability and magnetic loss tangent to a value of 3.5 at 5% and reduced to 1 at 30% doping. With increased Co doping, M_s was reduced from 87-58 emu/g, M_r increased from 11 to 40 emu/g with 3–5 wt% Co and 9 emu/g for 30% doping. H_c sharply increased from 540 to 2200 Oe with a reduction to 280 Oe at 10 K with increasing temperature to 300 K. T_c increased from 740 to 750 K for 30% Co doping. DTA–TGA studies of green body showed decarboxilation to occur at around 825 °C and the transformation of residual Co₃O₄ to Co₂O₃ at around 577 °C. The XRD data confirmed the Co ions substituting into Fe sites until a 10–15% doping level where the structure altered to W-type hexaferrite. The densities of the compounds varied with doping to a maximum of 4.45 g/cm³.     

Physical and magnetic properties of highly aluminum doped strontium ferrite nanoparticles prepared by auto-combustion route

Highly Al³⁺ ion doped nanocrystalline SrFe_12−xAl_xO₁₉ (0≤x≤12), were prepared by the auto-combustion method and heat treated in air at 1100 °C for 12 h. The phase identification of the powders performed using x-ray diffraction show presence of high-purity hexaferrite phase and absence of any secondary phases. With Al³⁺ doping, the lattice parameters decrease due to smaller Al³⁺ ion replacing Fe³⁺ ions. Morphological analysis performed using transmission electron microscope show growth of needle shaped ferrites with high aspect ratio at Al³⁺ ion content exceeding x≥2. Al³⁺ substitution modifies saturation magnetization (M_S) and coercivity (H_C). The room temperature M_S values continuously reduced while H_C value increased to a maximum value of 18,100 Oe at x=4, which is an unprecedented increase (∼321%) in the coercivity as compared to pure Sr-Ferrite. However, at higher Al³⁺ content x>4, a decline in magnetization and coercivity has been observed. The magnetic results indicate that the best results for applications of this ferrite will be obtained with an iron deficiency in the stoichiometric formulation.     

Structural and magnetic properties of nanocrystalline stannic substituted cobalt ferrite

The structural and magnetic properties of the spinel ferrite system Co_1+xFe_2−2xSn_xO₄ (x=0.0–1.0) have been studied. Samples in the series were prepared by the ceramic technique. The structural and microstructural evolutions of the nanophase have been studied using X-ray powder diffraction and the Rietveld method. The refinement result showed that the type of the cationic distribution over the tetrahedral and octahedral sites in the nanocrystalline lattice is partially an inverse spinel. Far infrared absorption spectra show two significant absorption bands, around 600 cm⁻¹ and 425 cm⁻¹, which are respectively attributed to tetrahedral (A) and octahedral [B] vibrations of the spinel. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was used to study surface morphology. SEM images reveal particles in the nanosize range. The transmission electronic microscope (TEM) reveals that the grains are spherical in shape. TEM analysis confirmed the X-ray results. The magnetic properties of the prepared samples were characterized by using a vibrating sample magnetometer.     

Comparison of the soft magnetic properties of permalloy and conetic thin films

The soft magnetic properties of the substrate/[non-buffer or buffer Ta]/[permalloy (Ni₈₀Fe₂₀) or conetic (Ni₇₇Fe₁₄Cu₅Mo₄)]/Ta prepared by ion beam sputter deposition are investigated. The value of the surface resistance of the conetic film is twice as high as that of the permalloy film. The value of the coercivity and magnetic susceptibility of the conetic film decreased by 25% and doubled relative to that of the permalloy film. The coercivity, with a value of 0.12 Oe, and the magnetic susceptibility, with a value of 1.2×10⁴ for the conetic film, are suitable for soft magnetic biosensor applications.     

Preparation and magnetic studies of nickel ferrite nanoparticles substituted by Sn and Cu

The mixed ferrite systems, namely NiFe_2−2xSn_xCu_xO₄ (x=0, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3) nanoparticles have been studied to understand their structural and magnetic parameters. The NiFe_2−2xSn_xCu_xO₄ nanoparticles were prepared by high energy ball milling (HEBM). The samples were characterized by the X-ray diffraction technique. All samples exhibited spinel structures. The crystalline size and internal strain were evaluated by XRD patterns using Williamson-Hall and Scherrer methods. Magnetic properties of the nanoparticles ferrite were studied by means of alternating gradient force magnetometry (AGFM) and Faraday balance.     

Magnetic properties and DC electrical resistivity studies on cadmium substituted nickel-zinc ferrite system

Polycrystalline Ni_0.65−xCd_xZn_0.35Fe₂O₄ ferrites with x varying from 0.00 to 0.20 in steps of 0.04 have been prepared by conventional ceramic route. Calcination and sintering of samples were performed at 950 and 1250 °C for 4 and 2 h, respectively. The prepared samples were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction. The observed modifications in structure and increase in lattice constant are attributed to the difference in ionic radius of substituted Cd²⁺ ion and displaced Ni²⁺ ion. The room temperature specific saturation magnetization and Curie temperature are observed to decrease continuously with decrease in cadmium content and are attributed to the decline of A-B exchange interaction. The monotonic increase in initial permeability and decrease in magnetic loss are observed with cadmium concentration. An increase in dc electrical resistivity is observed up to x=0.12 of cadmium followed by a continuous decrease. The variation of electrical resistivity with temperature was measured in the temperature range of RT-140 °C and the corresponding activation energies for conduction obtained from the log ρ vs 1/T graphs.     

Correlation between structural and magnetic properties of sprayed iron oxide thin films

The structural, optical and magnetic properties of iron oxide films were investigated. Raman spectroscopy results demonstrate that different iron oxide polymorphs can coexist in the sprayed films. It also showed that thickness plays an important role in the development of mixed or pure hematite films. Among the phases detected in the films are feroxyhyte and maghemite. Additionally, the control of the magnetic properties by varying the deposition temperature and thickness is established in this work.     

Preparation and investigation of magnetic properties of MnNiTi-substituted strontium hexaferrite nanoparticles

A series of M-type strontium hexaferrite powders with substitution of Mn²⁺, Ni²⁺ and Ti⁴⁺ ions for Fe³⁺ ions according to the formula SrFe₉(Mn_0.5−xNi_xTi_0.5)₃O₁₉, where x ranges from 0 to 0.5 with a step of 0.1, has been prepared via the conventional ceramic method. In order to get nanoparticles, the obtained powders were milled in a high energy SPEX mill for 1 h. XRD investigations of the unmilled and milled powders show that the prepared samples are all single phase hexaferrite. Lattice parameters and mean crystallite sizes of the powders were determined from the XRD data and Scherrer’s formula. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) was used to analyze their structures. Room temperature magnetizations and coercivities of the samples in a magnetic field of 15 kOe have been determined from the hysteresis loops. It was found that magnetizations of the milled samples were smaller than the magnetization of the unmilled samples. This decrease, based on core-shell model, has been attributed to the presence of a magnetically dead layer on the particles’ surface of the milled powders. In addition, the magnetizations of the milled samples decrease with the increase in x value. This decrease has been discussed according to site occupation of the substituted cations on the sublattices. The discussion also supports the increase of lattice parameters and the decrease of Curie temperature as x increases.