Synthesis and characterization of nanocrystalline zinc ferrite films prepared by liquid phase deposition

We report on the synthesis of highly uniform, single phase zinc ferrite films prepared through a single step low temperature reaction by the liquid phase deposition (LPD) method. X-ray diffraction, TGA and EDX measurements support the assumption that the as-deposited films are constituted from a mixture of crystallized FeOOH and amorphous Zn(OH)₂. Upon heat treatment in air at 600 °C for one hour the intermediates are subsequently converted into the corresponding zinc ferrites. The films with adjustable chemical compositions are identified as having a spinel-type crystal structure and present a spherical or rod-like microstructure, depending on the Zn content. The magnetic films present a superparamagnetic behavior above blocking temperatures which decrease with increasing Zn content, and are ferromagnetic at 5 K with coercivities ranging between 797.8 and 948.5 Oe.