Magnetic and structural properties of CoFe2O4 thin films synthesized via asol-gel process

Using a sol-gel process having the coconut water as a precursor of organic chain, we synthesized thin films of cobalt ferrite. The films were characte rized by using a SQUID magnetometer, an X-ray diffractometer, an X-ray spec trophotometer, Mossbauer spectroscopy and atomic force microscope. Co ferri te films annealed at 500 degreesC for 2 h show grain sizes between 10 and 2 0 nm, grown as single-phase spinel structure and exhibit high coercivity an d a moderate saturation magnetization (above 30 kOe). (C) 2001 Elsevier Sci ence B.V. All rights reserved.