Study of optical and magnetic properties of nickel ferrite thin films sprayed on quartz substrate

Nickel ferrite (NiFe₂O₄), a kind of soft magnetic material, is one of the most attracting class of materials due to its interesting and important properties.In the present work, NiFe₂O₄ thin films were deposited by spray pyrolysis technique on quartz substrate at 475 °C and annealed at 650 °C, 750 °C and 850 °C for 3 hours. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that NiFe₂O₄ thin film annealed at 650 °C, 750 °C and 850 °C belongs to cubic crystal system. Structural parameters such as crystallite size, strain, dislocation density and lattice constants were calculated. Scanning electron microscope studies of NiFe₂O₄ thin film annealed at 750 °C shows formation of homogenous grain along with pores on the surface of the film. Effect of annealing temperature on the structural, optical, morphological, electrical and magnetic properties of NiFe₂O₄ are reported. (author)