Ferrite/Metal Composites Fabricated by Soft Solution Processing

In recent years, various methods have been developed for the synthesis of single phase ferrite nanomaterials. Most approaches involve the use of high temperatures, or the preparation of powders. Ceramic/metal nanocomposites and composite thin films have attracted much attention because of their unique mechanical, electrical, and magnetic properties. Here, we introduce a new kind of magnetic material, which we have called ferrite/metal composite thin films. Spinel thin films MFe2O4/Fe (M = Zn, Mg) with controlled grain sizes and shapes were directly fabricated on an Fe substrate by a soft solution processing route at temperatures below 200 °C. The cooperative magnetic performance of the ferrite/Fe composite thin films was found to be much improved compared to that of single-phase ferrite products, and the ferrite/Fe thin films displayed superparamagnetism.