Structural and Magnetic Studies on Iron Oxide and Iron-Magnesium Oxide Thin Films Deposited Using Ferrocene and (Dimethylaminomethyl)ferrocene Precursors

Abstract

Iron oxide and magnesium-doped iron oxide films were grown by atomic layer deposition in the temperature range of 350–500°C from ferrocene, (dimethylaminomethyl)ferrocene, magnesium β-diketonate, and ozone. Phase composition of the films depended on the deposition temperature, as magnetite and/or maghemite tended to form instead of hematite upon lowering the temperature. Iron oxide layers were also mixed with magnesium oxide by alternate deposition of MgO and Fe2O3 which also favored the formation of magnetite or maghemite structure prior to hematite. Scanning electron microscopy implied the smoothening of the films after doping with magnesium oxide. Magnetometry was used to study the effects of temperature and doping levels on the magnetic properties of the films.