Thin films of ferrites of the type (MFe2O4)-Fe-II (M = Cu, Mg, Zn) are prepared by spray-pyrolysis using ethylene glycol solutions of mixed-metal citric complexes of the respective metals at substrate temperature between 350 degrees C and 450 degrees C and post-deposition annealing at 480-750 degrees C in air. Phase composition, crystal structure, morphology and adhesion of the obtained films (40-400 nm in thickness) are studied by X-ray diffraction, SEM, energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis and AFM. Single phase dense uniform films with grains from 30-100 nm (M = Cu, Mg) to 0.15-2 mu m (M = Zn) are obtained. (C) 2011 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.