Surfactant-assisted hydrothermal preparation of submicrometer-sized two-dimensional BiFeO<Subscript>3</Subscript> plates and their photocatalytic activity

2-Dimensional bismuth ferrite (BiFeO₃) plates were hydrothermally synthesized starting from Bi(NO₃)₃ and Fe(NO₃)₃ in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as a morphology directing template. The amount of CTAB was altered to study their effects on the final results. The average diameter and thickness of BiFeO₃ plates were about 1.3–2 μm and 200–300 nm. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV–visible diffuse reflection spectrum (UV–vis DRS) were used to investigate the samples’ crystallinity, purity, morphology, spectral features. Furthermore, the effect of the morphology on photocatalysis was also evaluated by photodecolorization of orange II under a blended-light mercury fluorescent lamp (λ ≥ 410 nm). As a result, BiFeO₃ plates showed a much higher photocatalytic activity than bulk BiFeO₃ for photodecolorization of orange II, suggesting potential application in photocatalysis.     

Preparation and microwave absorption properties of BiFeO<Subscript>3</Subscript> and BiFeO<Subscript>3</Subscript>/PANI composites

BiFeO₃(BFO) particle was successfully synthesized by normal citric acid sol–gel method and the size of BiFeO₃ particle is about 200 nm. BiFeO₃/polyaniline (PANI) composites with the different weight ratio were synthesized by in situ emulsion polymerization. The citric acid doped PANI is fibrous and form a loose structure outside the BFO particle. With the increasing of PANI, the conductivity value of composites are increasing to 9.34?×?10^?2 S/cm. Moreover, the permittivity also enhance with the increasing of conductivity, which contribute to the improvement of dielectric loss. Microwave absorbing properties were investigated with a vector network analyzer in 1–18 GHz. The minimum reflection loss (RL) value is about ?40.2 dB at 8.3 GHz when the thickness is 3.5 mm, and the maximum bandwidth less than ?10 dB is 3.5 GHz (from 13.5 to 18 GHz) at the thickness of 2 mm. 3 mm millimeter-wave-attenuation properties were also tested, and the maximum attenuation value of BFO/PANI composites reach 15.71 dB. The composites can dissipate microwave energy into heat effectively by dielectric relaxation because of the suitable conductivity. The interface scattering and multiple reflections also play a important role because of the increasing of a loose structure. The BFO/PANI composite can be taken as a promising lightweight and multiband microwave absorber.     

Dynamical Magnetoelectric Coupling in Multiferroic BiFeO<Subscript>3</Subscript>

In this study, the magnon excitations in multiferroic BiFeO₃ (BFO) have been discussed. The studies are based on the spin wave theory and Katsura’s model. The influence of the spin wave excitations on the terahertz absorption is discussed. The antiferromagnetic and ferroelectric interactions in multiferroic BFO were included using an effective fermion Hamiltonian. This Hamiltonian is bosonized and diagonalized, using Holstein–Primakoff and Bogoliubov transformations, respectively. An effective boson Hamiltonian is diagonalized to determine the excitation energy of the spin wave. The results obtained in this study are in qualitative agreement with the experimental data.     

Skyrmion lattices in the BiFeO<Subscript>3</Subscript> multiferroic

This work examines conditions for skyrmion lattice stability in BiFeO₃ multiferroic films possessing record high ferroelectric and antiferromagnetic transition temperatures, giant polarization, and a giant magnetoelectric effect. Using analytical and numerical calculations, we demonstrate stability of solitary spin vortices (skyrmions) and skyrmion lattices in BiFeO₃ films owing to the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction. Our results confirm that BiFeO₃ can be used as a matrix for chips with ultrahigh data density, up to 10 Tb/cm².     

Low-temperature synthesis of the multiferroic compound BiFeO<Subscript>3</Subscript>

A novel, low-temperature process is proposed for the synthesis of the multiferroic compound BiFeO₃. It enables the preparation of nanoparticulate material at temperatures as low as 200–250°C. An important role in the low-temperature synthesis of bismuth orthoferrite is played by ammonium nitrate additions and excess bismuth oxide.     

Magneto-electric characteristics in (Mn,Cu) co-doped BiFeO<Subscript>3</Subscript> multiferroic nanoparticles

Multiferroic nanoparticles having general formula BiFe_0.99-xMn_xCu_0.01O₃ (x = 0, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03 & 0.04) were prepared by a chemically derived method to explore the magneto-electric characteristics of this new class of materials. X-ray diffraction confirmed that all the samples had rhombohedraly distorted cubic perovskite 3D lattice. Lattice constant was increased with increasing concentration of Mn. Micrographs obtained from a field emission scanning electron microscope revealed a fine distribution of well-shaped particles while the particle size was increased with increased contents of Mn. Enhanced hopping mechanism induced by substitution of Mn at the lattice sites of Fe resulted in an increased AC conductivity. Ferroelectricity was observed to increase with increased Mn, attributed mainly to the leakage current due to free charge carriers instigated by multiple oxidation states of Fe and Mn. It has been observed that antiferromagnetic bismuth ferrite begins to show ferromagnetic behavior due to the collapse of antiferromagnetic spin structure with increased Mn contents.     

Toroidal spin ordering in BiFeO<Subscript>3</Subscript>, GaFeO<Subscript>3</Subscript>, and Cr<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> in the Faddeev model with a magnetic field

The Fadeev model is used for describing the recently discovered toroidal spin ordering in piezoelectric and ferrimagnetic GaFeO₃ and piezo- and magnetoelectric Cr₂O₃ and BiFeO₃. A stable toroidal solution of the Faddeev model with the topological charge Q= 1 in an external homogeneous magnetic field was obtained using the trial function method. The energy of a toroid as a function of its radius (R) was determined at various values of the external magnetic field (H). It was shown that the energy minimum is shifted toward smaller R’s with an increase in H. At a critical field value, the torus collapses so that the local spin structure disappears. It is suggested to use magnetic field for controlling the torus size in multiferroics, promising materials of spintronics.     

Dielectric and impedance spectroscopy of Ni doped BiFeO<Subscript>3</Subscript>-BaTiO<Subscript>3</Subscript> electronic system

A nickel modified BiFeO₃–BaTiO₃ electronic system has been fabricated by using a high-temperature solid-state reaction process. Preliminary X-ray structural analysis has confirmed the formation of a single-phase material in the orthorhombic crystal system. The dielectric and impedance characteristics of the prepared material have been studied in a wide range of frequency (1 kHz-1 MHz) at different temperatures (25–500 °C) for the better understanding of the frequency-temperature dependence of its capacitive and resistive behavior respectively. A significant effect of grains and grain boundaries of the resistive characteristics of the material is observed at high temperatures. The electrical conductivity of the material increases with increase in frequency in the low-temperature region. Preliminary study of a small amount of Ni doping in the above binary system (i.e., BiFeO₃–BaTiO₃) has provided many interesting results which may be useful for the fabrication of an electronic device.     

Co-substitution induced structural transition with enhanced magnetic and electrical properties of multiferroic BiFeO<Subscript>3</Subscript> nanoparticles

Polycrystalline Bi_1?xTb_xFe_1?xCo_xO₃ (for x?=?0.05, 0.10, 0.15 and 0.20) nanoparticles were synthesized by tartaric acid assisted sol–gel route. The quantitative crystallographic phase analysis of XRD pattern demonstrates the subsequent structural phase transition from rhombohedral (R3c) to cubic (Pm\(\bar {3}\)m) with the intermediate orthogonal (Pbnm) and orthogonal (Pnma) phase with the gradual increase in concentration of co-substituents. Raman spectroscopic analysis emphasizes that all the co-substituted samples has undergone structural phase transitions which are in good agreement with the results of Rietveld analysis. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) have confirmed that Fe exists predominantly in +3 state in the co-substituted sample. The enhancement in the room temperature magnetic behavior of the sample can be attributed to the co-substitution induced suppression of spatially modulated spiral spin structure of BiFeO₃. All the samples exhibit dielectric anomaly at the vicinity of Neel temperature (T_N) signifies the change in magnetic ordering. Moreover, all the co-substituted samples have been witnessed with reduced leakage current and improved ferroelectric behaviour, which is the desirable characteristics for multifunctional device applications of multiferroics.     

Magnetic and microwave-absorbing properties of SrAl<Subscript>4</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>8</Subscript>O<Subscript>19</Subscript> powders synthesized by coprecipitation and citric- combustion methods

Al-substituted M-type hexaferrite is a highly anisotropic ferromagnetic material. In the present study, the coprecipitation and the citric-combustion methods of synthesis for SrAl₄Fe₈O₁₉ powders were explored and their microstructure, magnetic properties, and microwave absorptivity examined. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), a vibrating sample magnetometer, and a vector network analyser were used to characterize the powders. The XRD analyses indicated that the pure SrAl₄Fe₈O₁₉ powder was synthesized at 900°C and 1000°C for 3 h by coprecipitation, but only at 1000°C for the citric-combustion processes. The SEM analysis revealed that the coprecipitation process yielded a powder with a smaller particle size, near single-domain structure, uniform grain morphology, and smaller shape anisotropy than the citric-combustion process. The synthesis technique also significantly affected the magnetic properties and microwave-absorptivity. Conversely, calcining temperature and calcining time had less of an effect. The grain size was found to be a key factor affecting the property of the powder. The powders synthesized by coprecipitation method at calcining temperature of 900°C exhibited the largest magnetization, largest coercivity, and best microwave absorptivity.     

La-modification of multiferroic BiFeO<Subscript>3</Subscript> by hydrothermal method at low temperature

This study reports the effect of La doping on structural, morphological and magnetic characteristics of BiFeO₃ synthesized under mild hydrothermal conditions at 200°C for 16 h using the KOH concentration of 4 M. The as-synthesized powders of Bi_1−x La _x FeO₃ for x = 0.05, 0.10, and 0.15 were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction scanning electron microscope and the vibrating sample magnetometer. The formation mechanism of Bi_1−x La _x FeO₃ powders can be expressed by “dissolution-nucleation-crystallization” process. The magnetism of Bi_1−x La _x FeO₃ increased with increase of La content due mainly to increscent suppressing spiral magnetic structure and magnetic contribution of La.     

Magnetoelectric interactions in BiFeO<Subscript>3</Subscript>, Bi<Subscript>0.95</Subscript>Nd<Subscript>0.05</Subscript>FeO<Subscript>3</Subscript>, and Bi<Subscript>0.95</Subscript>La<Subscript>0.05</Subscript>FeO<Subscript>3</Subscript> multiferroics

The technology of ceramic BiFeO₃, Bi_0.95Nd_0.05FeO₃, and Bi_0.95La_0.05FeO₃ multiferroics is described. The room-temperature magnetization, magnetoelectric (ME), and magnetodielectric (MDE) effects in these compounds have been studied. It is established that even a small fraction (x = 0.05) of rare-earth additives (La, Nd) to bismuth ferrite not only enhance its magnetic properties, but also significantly influence the ME and MDE effects. The dependence of the ME effect on the frequency of modulation of the alternating magnetic field in Bi_0.95Nd_0.05FeO₃, and Bi_0.95La_0.05FeO₃ is more pronounced than in pure BiFeO₃.     

In-situ construction of 2D direct Z-scheme g-C<Subscript>3</Subscript>N<Subscript>4</Subscript>/g-C<Subscript>3</Subscript>N<Subscript>4</Subscript> homojunction with high photocatalytic activity

Constructing all-solid-state Z-scheme junction is a very effective strategy to design highly active photocatalysts for solar energy conversion and environmental purification. We herein firstly construct 2D g-C₃N₄/g-C₃N₄ Z-scheme homojunction by using a bottom-up approach, during which the supramolecular complex is initially formed, followed by a facile thermal polycondensation. Based on the active species trapping experiments, Mott–Schottky test and band edge position analysis, the prepared 2D nanosheet g-C₃N₄/g-C₃N₄ homojunctions are found to be Z-scheme type, different from those available reported ones with a type-II energy alignment. Benefiting from the specific 2D morphology with large exposed surface area and Z-scheme junction with efficient separation and high redox abilities of the photoinduced electrons and holes, the obtained 2D g-C₃N₄/g-C₃N₄ homojunctions are much more active than the conventional g-C₃N₄/g-C₃N₄ homojunction (CN-MT) and bulk g-C₃N₄ (CN-M) under visible light irradiation, validating by the high rhodamine degradation rate of 0.833 h^?1, which is about 3.9 and 15.4 times higher than that of CN-MT (0.214 h^?1) and CN-M (0.054 h^?1), respectively. The present work sheds light on design of novel Z-scheme photocatalysts with specific morphology and thus further application in the field of environment or energy.     

Fabrication of Ag<Subscript>3</Subscript>PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>-AgBr-PTh composite loaded on Na<Subscript>2</Subscript>SiO<Subscript>3</Subscript> with enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity

A novel Ag₃PO₄-AgBr-PTh composite loaded on Na₂SiO₃ was synthesized for enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity. The photocatalytic activity of the samples was evaluated by photodegrading rhodamine B (RhB) under visible light irradiation. The main reactive species and possible photocatalytic mechanism were also discussed. As a result, the Ag₃PO₄-AgBr-PTh composite loaded on Na₂SiO₃ exhibited enhanced photocatalytic activity for RhB compared with Ag₃PO₄ under visible-light irradiation. Additionally, it was demonstrated that the hole (h⁺) and superoxide radical (?O ₂ ^? ) were the major reactive species involving in the RhB degradation. PTh played vital role for the enhanced photocatalytic activity of Ag₃PO₄-AgBr-PTh-Na₂SiO₃ composite, which offered an electron transfer expressway and accelerated the transfer of the electrons from the CB of AgBr into Ag₃PO₄. This work could provide a new perspective for the synthesis of Ag₃PO₄-based composites and the improvement of photocatalytic activity of Ag₃PO₄.     

Microscopic Origin of Electric and Magnetic Ordering in BiFeO<Subscript>3</Subscript>

The microscopic origin of electric and magnetic ordering in multiferroic materials is described. Multiferroic materials are systems with strong spin–orbit coupling. There is an electric mechanism for which ferroelectricity is generated by dynamic magnetism though vanishing of the electric current; this result is demonstrated in this paper. The multiferroic material BiFeO₃ is shown to be a Mott’s insulator. An expression describing the connection between the polarization, magnetization, and the spin–orbit coupling parameter is derived.     

Effects of addition of BiFeO<Subscript>3</Subscript> on phase transition and dielectric properties of BaTiO<Subscript>3</Subscript> ceramics

Samples of xBiFeO₃–(1 − x)BaTiO₃ (x = 0, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, 0.07 and 0.08) were synthesized by solid state reaction technique and sintered in air in the temperature range 1,220–1,280 °C for 4 h. X-ray diffraction data showed that 2–8 mol% BiFeO₃ can dissolve into the lattice of BaTiO₃ and form single perovskite phase. The crystal structure changes from tetragonal to cubic phase at room temperature when 8 mol% of BiFeO₃ was added into BaTiO₃. Scanning electron microscope images indicated that the ceramics have compact and uniform microstructures, and the grain size of the ceramics decreases with the increase of BiFeO₃ content. Dielectric constants were measured as functions of temperatures (25–200 °C). With rising addition of BiFeO₃, the Curie temperature decreases. For the sample with x = 0.08, the phase transition occurred below room temperature. The boundary between tetragonal and cubic phase of the BiFeO₃–BaTiO₃ system at room temperature locates at a composition between 7 and 8 mol% of BiFeO₃. The diffusivity parameter γ for compositions x = 0.02 and x = 0.07 is 1.21 and 1.29, respectively. The relaxor-like behaviour is enhanced by the BiFeO₃ addition.     

Magnetically separable Fe<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>@TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanospheres: preparation and photocatalytic activity

A facile and efficient approach for the fabrication of Fe₃O₄@TiO₂ nanospheres with a good core–shell structure has been demonstrated. Products were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The results showed that Fe₃O₄@TiO₂ nanocomposites exhibited high degree of crystallinity, excellent magnetic properties at room temperature. Furthermore, the as-prepared Fe₃O₄@TiO₂ nanocomposites exhibited good photocatalytic activity toward the degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) solution. Additionally, the recycling experiment of Fe₃O₄@TiO₂ nanocomposites had been done, demonstrating that Fe₃O₄@TiO₂ nanocomposites have high efficiency and stability.     

Enhanced visible light photocatalytic activity for g-C<Subscript>3</Subscript>N<Subscript>4</Subscript>/SnO<Subscript>2</Subscript>:Sb composites induced by Sb doping

In this paper, g-C₃N₄/SnO₂:Sb composite photocatalysts were fabricated by in situ loading Sb-doped SnO₂ (SnO₂:Sb) nanoparticles on graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) nanosheets via a facile hydrothermal method. The synthesized g-C₃N₄/SnO₂:Sb composites delivered enhanced visible light photocatalytic performance for degradation of rhodamine B in comparison with g-C₃N₄/SnO₂ composites without doping Sb. Various techniques including XRD, SEM, TEM, FTIR, XPS, PL and electrochemical method were employed to demonstrate the successful fabrication of g-C₃N₄/SnO₂:Sb composite and to investigate the enhanced mechanism of photocatalytic activity. The improvement of visible light absorption and the promotion of separation efficiency and interfacial transfer of photogenerated carriers induced by Sb doping were responsible for the enhancement of photocatalytic activity. This study provides a simple and convenient method to synthesize a visible light responsive catalyst with promising performance for the potential application in environmental protection.     

Effects of sodium oleate on synthesis and photocatalytic activity of Bi<Subscript>2</Subscript>WO<Subscript>6</Subscript>/Bi<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>@RGO

In this study, the effects of sodium oleate on synthesis of Bi₂WO₆/Bi₂O₃ loaded reduced graphene oxide photocatalyst was studied. The as-prepared composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, UV–visible diffuse reflectance and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The results suggested that addition of sodium oleate not only promoted synthesis of Bi₂O₃, but also enhanced the reduction of GO to graphene. When the amount of sodium oleate was 4 mol (Bi:SO?=?1:1), Bi₂WO₆/Bi₂O₃@RGO to the best visible-light photocatalytic activity can be synthesized by a facile one-step solvothermal process without further reduction reaction. Hence, it indicated that sodium oleate could affect the synthesis of the as-prepared composites and the photocatalytic activity for degradation of RhB. This study did provide not only a facile method to synthesize Bi₂WO₆/Bi₂O₃@RGO, but also a method to reduce graphene oxide to graphene.