Role of spinel substrate in the morphology of BiFeO3-CoFe2O4 epitaxial nanocomposite films

Epitaxial thin films of BiFeO3-CoFe2O4 composite were grown on spinel MgAl2O4 substrates with a (001) orientation. The composite formed an intriguing nanogrid structure where perovskite BiFeO3 forms linear mounds embedded in a matrix of spinel CoFe2O4. The structure makes a stark distinction with similar composite films on (001) perovskite SrTiO3 substrates where CoFe2O4 forms nanopillars surrounded by a BiFeO3 matrix. This result shows the interface between the film and the substrate that plays a determining role during the formation of the composite.