Pulsed Laser Deposition (PLD) to Synthesis of NiZnFe2O4 Nanoparticles

In this study, crystalline nanoparticles of ferrite compound with the formula of Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 have been synthesized and deposited on the Si substrate by a physical method known as Pulsed Laser Deposition (PLD) method. The physicochemical properties and microstructure of the resultant Zn/Ni ferrite-deposited thin films were investigated using different characterization techniques including XRD, SEM, AFM and FTIR techniques. Uniform and evenly distributed nanoparticles on the Si surface were observed in SEM and AFM analysis. Moreover, the morphological studies revealed that the deposited-nanoparticles grains are clear with well-defined grain boundaries. Some droplet and cluster aggregates were also observed in morphological analysis, which are related to the sample ablation during PLD process due to incomplete elimination of target splashing. The FTIR spectra showed the characteristic chemical bands of the materials used for the fabrication of nanoparticles and thin films. The single-phase cubic spinel structure of samples has been confirmed from X-ray diffraction analysis.