Preparation of nanostructured thin films of yttrium iron garnet (Y3Fe5O12) by sol–gel technology

Abstract

The synthesis of hydrolytically active heteroligand coordination compounds [M(C₅H₇O₂)_3‒x(C₅H₁₁Oⁱ)_x] (M = Fe³⁺ and Y³⁺) using iron and yttrium acetylacetonates has been studied. The gel formation kinetics in solutions of these compounds upon hydrolysis and polycondensation has also been studied. Thin films of a solution of these precursors have been applied to polished sapphire substrates by dip coating technology. The crystallization of nanostructured yttrium iron garnet (Y₃Fe₅O₁₂) films during heat treatment of xerogel coatings under various conditions has been studied. How the phase composition, microstructure, and particle size depend on the synthesis parameters has been recognized.