Molarity-dependent structural, dielectric, magnetic, and morphological behavior of manganese iron oxide thin films by electrodeposition

Abstract

Sustainable development goal (SDG 7) “Affordable and Clean Energy” has driven the attentions of the researchers to produce efficient, cheap and eco-friendly materials. In this research work, electrodeposition has been utilized to grow manganese iron oxide thin films. Electrodeposition is preferred over other techniques because it is easy to assembled, low cost, non-vacuum and room temperature technique. Manganese iron oxide is one of the most important spinel ferrites. The manganese iron oxide films have been electrodeposited on a copper (Cu) substrate. The changes in the molarity (0.02 M, 0.04 M, 0.06 M, 0.08 M and 0.1 M) of the electrolyte have been studied. X-ray diffractometers (XRD), vibrating sample magnetometers (VSM), and impedance analyzers have used to characterize the thin films structurally, magnetically and dielectrically. A phase shift from amorphous (0.02 M and 0.04 M) to cubic (0.06 M, 0.08 M and 0.1 M) has been observed. Relatively larger lattice constant and crystallite size of 8.412 Å and 28 nm respectively are observed for 0.08 M molarity thin film. The electrodeposited thin films have a normal behavior of dielectric constant and are ferromagnetic in nature. The saturation magnetization 26.9 emu/cm3 is observed for 0.08 M thin film. The remarkable finding of manganese iron oxide thin films makes these a potential candidate for low cost spintronics devices.