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 galvanostatically electrodeposited onto various conducting substrates using simple aqueous and non-aqueous (ethylene glycol) sulfate baths. Further anodization of these alloy films at room temperature (27°C) in aqueous 1N KOH electrolyte has been carried out to convert them into oxide (MFe2O4) films. The ferrite thin films were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) techniques. It is observed that the films have uniform and homogeneous surface with spinel cubic structure except for CuFe2O4 (tetragonal). The grain size of the film material is found in between 10 and 50 nm.