Structural, electrical and magnetic properties of Ni–Co–Cu–Mn ferrite thick films

•To the author’s knowledge thick films of quaternary ferrites are reported for the first time.•The magnetic and electrical properties of ferrite thick films are correlated with its microstructure.•The effect of co-doping of Cu and Mn in Ni–Co ferrite thick films on electrical and magnetic properties is well explained.

Ni0.8Co0.2−2xCuxMnxFe2O4 (with x varying from 0.01 to 0.09 in the step of 0.02) thick films were fabricated using screen printing technique. The XRD patterns show formation of single phase ferrites with the requisite characteristic (3 1 1) reflection. The SEM images show different morphologies with compositional variation. The electrical resistivity confirms semiconducting behavior of ferrite thick films. The M–H hysteresis loop of ferrite samples exhibit ferrimagnetic nature. The composition with x = 0.07 shows largest magnetization as well as high electrical resistivity which is correlated with microstructural changes in this particular composition. The co-doping of Cu and Mn in Ni–Co ferrite system has resulted in drastic changes in magnetic properties.

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