Synthesis and Investigation of Electrodeposited Half-Metallic Fe3O4 Thin Films and Nanowires

Abstract

Thin films and nanowires of Fe3O4 have potentiostatically been electrodeposited on ITO coated glass and employing templates in a conventional three-electrode cell using two different baths. Appropriate potential windows, suitable for films and nanowires, were estimated from cyclic voltametry. Structural property of Fe3O4 films was studied by X-ray diffraction. A large (−3.35%, at 2.3 kOe) longitudinal magnetoresistance (MR) was observed at room temperature, and the shape of MR curves showed a reduced hysteresis loop for Fe3O4 films with low coercivity. Room-temperature magnetic properties of Fe3O4 films were studied by vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). Surface morphology of nanowires was studied by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The nonlinear I–V characteristic of nanowires was observed at room temperature. An attempt has been made to understand the conduction mechanism.