Effect of firing temperature on surface morphology of nanosized ferrite-based thick film with linseed oil as organic vehicle

This paper presents the results of morphological study on nanosized nickel zinc ferrite (NZF) thick film using linseed oil as organic vehicle and nanosized NZF powder. First, NZF nanopowder is mixed with organic vehicle which consists of linseed oil, m-xylene and alpha-terpineol. Paste samples were screen printed onto alumina as substrate, dried and fired at different temperatures of 100 degrees C, 200 degrees C, and 300 degrees C, respectively. Microscopic images of the samples and elemental analysis were observed to determine good dispersion of the active powder with the organic vehicle. Based on the results, the nanoparticles were uniformly dispersed, and images of thick films fired at 200 degrees C and 300 degrees C have shown clearly visible particles, indicating that at these temperatures, the organic vehicle has started to evaporate on the surface, revealing nanoparticles of the active powders. The elemental analysis confirmed this idea, of which carbon element of the organic vehicle gradually decreased with increasing temperature.