Structural, Mechanical and Magnetic Properties of FeO Added Zirconia

ZrO2 is one of the most studied transition-metal oxides in biological field. Because of the excellent mechanical properties (high value of hardness, high fracture toughness etc.) it is used in protective coatings. The applications area of ZrO2 can be increased by the addition of metal oxide. Aim of this study is to determine the effects of FeO doping on ZrO2 thin films. FeO doped zirconia is synthesized by sol gel route. Different samples are prepared by varying iron oxide concentrations in the range of 2-10wt%. Sols of FeO doped ZrO2 are spun on glass substrate at 3000 rpm for 30 seconds and annealed at 300 °C for 1 hour. X-ray diffraction results confirm the formation of tetragonal phase of ZrO2 along with low intensity peak of FeO. Crystallite size of FeO doped zirconia increases with increase in FeO content. Relatively low dislocation density is observed at 10wt% of FeO. Hardness of the sample, determined by micro Vickers hardness tester, lies is in the range of 400HV to 1000HV. FeO doped ZrO2 thin films show ferromagnetic behaviour with saturation magnetization of 2emu/g with 10wt%.