Nucleation of samarium-iron-garnet Sm3Fe5O12/α-Fe junctions in cm-scale foam-like carbon films continuously filled with α-Fe

Abstract

The fabrication of rare-earth garnet-ferrites in the form of films is generally limited by numerous problems associated with diffusion, impurities, agglomeration or pH control. Here we show the successful nucleation of Sm3Fe5O12/α-Fe junctions in cm-scale foam-like carbon films continuously filled with α-Fe through an advanced CVD approach. The key feature of this method is the α-Fe filling which can be used as host for the garnet nucleation through interaction with Sm2O3 nanoparticles. The morphology, structure and magnetic properties of the films are characterized by scanning electron microscopy, scanning transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-rays, X-ray diffraction, Raman Spectroscopy and T-dependent vibrating sample magnetometry.