Synthesis of nanocrystalline nickel ferrite (NiFe2O4) thin films using low temperature modified chemical method

A modified chemical method is depicted as a novel and powerful method for the synthesis of nanocrystalline nickel ferrite thin films onto glass substrates. This method is a suitable modification of chemical bath deposition. This method is relatively less expensive and convenient for large area deposition of metal oxide films. Nanocrystalline nickel ferrite films have been deposited onto the glass substrates at near room temperature using nickel(II) chloride and iron(II) chloride as cationic precursors. Double distilled water was used as an oxidizing agent. The structural, surface morphological, infrared, and electrical characterizations of the films were studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), FT-IR spectra, and electrical resistivity techniques. The results show that modified chemical method allows the synthesis nanocrystalline NiFe2O4 films with spinel phase. The films are free from pinholes and cracks. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.