The surface wettability and improved electrochemical performance of nanostructured CoxFe3 − xO4 thin film

The spin coated CoxFe3 − xO4 thin films have been prepared with different cobalt value (x = 0.3, 0.5 and 0.7). The X-ray diffraction analysis indicated the presence of cubic spinel phase in all samples. The chemical composition of the films was studied using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The formation of granular morphology for sample with x = 0.7 were observed by field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM). The calculated fractal dimensions from AFM image changed from 2.45 to 2.32 by increasing the cobalt value. The optical band gap changed from 2.28 to 2.17 eV by cobalt addition. The wetting properties of surface changed from hydrophilic to hydrophobic by increasing the cobalt content. Also the UV irradiation leads to contact angle reduction. The ion storage capacity of cobalt ferrite thin films was characterized using cyclic voltammetry in 1 M KOH. The Co0.5Fe2.5O4 sample has the maximum specific capacitance (121.66 mF/cm2).