Structure and magnetic properties of nanocrystalline SrFe12O19 thin films synthesized by the Pechini method

Strontium hexaferrite (SrFe12O19) thin films have been synthesized by the Pechini method. The precursor solutions were prepared with different basic agents such as ammonia, trimethylamine, ethanolamine, diethanolamine. Fourier transform infrared and thermal analyses were conducted to determine the chelated species and phase evolution, respectively. The composition, crystallite size, microstructure and magnetic properties of the SrFe12O19 thin films were evaluated by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope and vibrating sample magnetometer. The film prepared by using ammonia agent offered the largest coercivity of Hc=4790 Oe, while the strontium hexaferrite film prepared with using trimethylamine basic agent exhibited the largest magnetization of Ms=276 emu/cm3, with isotropic magnetic behavior.