Characterization of W-type hexaferrite thin films prepared by chemical solution deposition

Thin films of W-type hexaferrite were grown on SrTiO3(111) single crystals using the chemical solution deposition method and metalorganic precursor solutions prepared using the modified Pechini method. The synthesis of single-phase materials required optimizing the initial stoichiometry and crystallization conditions. The results showed that a concurrent excess of alkaline earth metal and deficiency in divalent metal ion (Zn2+, Co2+) favors the synthesis of pure W hexaferrites. This off-stoichiometry suppressed the formation of an exceedingly stable spinel phase at pyrolysis temperatures. The epitaxial nature of thin films, expressed as the orientation relation (00l)W [[ (111)SrTiO3 and [110]W [[ [112]SrTiO3 and hence the pronounced anisotropy of their magnetic properties as well were established by three dimensional x-ray diffraction texture analysis and magnetization measurements, respectively and enabled to identify the temperature interval in which the characteristic spin reorientation transition occurs for a specific degree of cobalt substitution.