Properties of Ni–Zn ferrite thin films deposited using spray pyrolysis

Nanocrystalline, homogeneous spinel Ni1−xZnxFe2O4 thin films were deposited on glass substrates by using spray pyrolysis of metal nitrate aqueous solutions. The thickness of deposited films was below 500 nm, but crystallite size was under 30 nm. It has been shown that the DC resistivity, dielectric loss and optical band gap of deposited films are influenced by the zinc content. High DC resistivity and low dielectric losses of thin Ni1−xZnxFe2O4 films are explained by mixed n-p conductivity and nanograin structure of spray pyrolysis deposited coatings which are changing with the ratio of Ni/Zn. - Highlights: ► Nanostructured Ni–Zn ferrite thin films were deposited by spray pyrolysis. ► X-Ray diffraction reveals a single-phase spinel structure for the obtained films. ► The thickness of deposited films was below 500 nm. ► Ni1−xZnxFe2O4 films characterized with high resistivity and low dielectric losses.