Preference orientation and magnetic properties of CoxFe3−xO4 nanocrystalline thin films on quartz substrate

Nanocrystalline spinel ferrite thin films of CoxFe3−xO4 (x=0.3x=0.3, 0.5, 0.8, and 1.0) have been prepared by RF sputtering on quartz substrate without a buffer layer at room temperature and annealed at the temperature range from 200 to 600 °C in air. The as-sputtered films exhibit the preferred orientation and the high magnetization and coercivity. After annealing, the preferred orientations become poor, but the magnetization and coercivity increase. The sample with a magnetization of 455 emu/cm3, a coercivity of 2.8 kOe, a remanence ratio of 0.72, and a maximum energy product of 2.4 MGOe has been obtained. The influence of Co ions and annealing temperature on the magnetic properties has been discussed.