Effect of Cd2+ doping on structural, morphological, optical, magnetic and wettability properties of nickel ferrite thin films

Ni1-xCdxFe2O4 (0.0 <= x <= 1.0 in step of 2) spinel ferrite thin films have been synthesized by spray deposition technique. The prepared films were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy, UV-vis spectroscopy, Photoluminescence and contact angle measurement studies. The analysis of XRD pattern reveals broad peaks exhibiting a single phase cubic spinel structure. The crystallite size obtained from Scherrer's formula varies between 8-24 nm confirming the nanocrystalline nature. Metal cation active vibration modes, metal oxygen stretching and bending vibrations were confirmed through the Raman analysis. The FE-SEM shows that the formation of spherical agglomeration and grain size are found to be in the range of 19-38 nm. The elemental compositions of the prepared thin films were studied by EDS. The energy band gap decreases from 1.86 to 2.11 eV with increase in Cd2+ content x calculated by using UV-vis data. The Photoluminescence study showed the characteristic near-band-edge emission of presently investigated films samples at around 710 nm. All films are hydrophilic in nature conformed by contact angle measurement.