Room temperature synthesis of nanocrystalline ferrite (MFe2O4, M = Cu, Co and Ni) thin films using novel electrochemical route

An electrochemical route is depicted as a novel and powerful route for the synthesis of nanocrystalline ferrite (MFe2O4, M = Cu. Co and Ni) thin films onto various conducting substrates. MFe2 alloy films were galvanostaticall y electrodeposited onto various conducting substrates using simple aqueous and non-aqueous (ethylene glycol) sulfate baths. Further anodization of the se alloy films at room temperature (27 degreesC) in aqueous 1N KOH electrol yte has been carried out to convert them into oxide (MFe2O4) films. The fer rite thin films were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (H RTEM) techniques. It is observed that the films have uniform and homogeneou s surface with spinel cubic structure except for CuFe2O4 (tetragonal). The grain size of the film material is found in between 10 and 50 nm. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.