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

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.