Structural,magnetic and photocatalytic properties of Sr2+ doped BiFeO3 nanofibres fabricated by electrospinning

Sr²⁺ doped BiFeO₃ (Bi_1-xSr_xFeO₃, 0?≤x?≤?0.35) nanofibres were fabricated by a sol-gel based electrospinning method. The as-spun BiFeO₃ (BFO) nanofibres consist of fine grained particles with high crystallinity. With Sr²⁺ doping, both the magnetic and photocatalytic properties of BFO are effectively improved. The best photocatalytic property for degradation of the methylene blue (MB) is obtained in Bi_0.75Sr_0.25FeO₃ nanofibres due to their weakest photoluminescence (PL) intensity. Meanwhile, the photocatalytic property of Bi_0.75Sr_0.25FeO₃ nanofibres is much higher than that of nanoparticles with the same constituent, which is attributed to the unique one-dimension fibrous structure benefiting the separation and decreased recombination of e^-/h⁺ pairs. This work proposes an effective approach for the degradation of organic pollutes.     

Structural,magnetic and photocatalytic properties of Sr-doped BiFeO3 nanoparticles based on an ultrasonic irradiation assisted self-combustion method

A novel ultrasonic irradiation assisted self-combustion method was developed to prepare single-phase Bi_1−xSr_xFeO_3−δ (BSFO) nanoparticles, which were charactered by XRD, SEM, TEM and UV–vis spectra. The results show that structure, as well as magnetic and photocatalytic properties of BSFO are influenced by the particle size and the Sr²⁺ dopant content. Regarding smaller particles, even if small amount of Sr²⁺ substitution content change can result in the phase transition from the rhombohedral distorted perovskite to the cubic. The doping of heterovalent Sr²⁺ ions in BiFeO₃ (BFO) nanoparticles improves the ferromagnetic property. As ultrasonication can generate particles with larger surface area and more defections, BSFO nanoparticles exhibit efficient photocatalytic activity as a promising photocatalyst.     

Effect of Dy-substitution on structural,electrical and magnetic properties of multiferroic BiFeO3 ceramics

The polycrystalline samples of dysprosium (Dy)-modified bismuth ferrite (i.e., Bi_1−xDy_xFeO₃; x=0–0.2 with the interval of 0.05) (BDFO) were synthesized using a high-temperature solid-state reaction method. Preliminary X-ray structural analysis showed that the reported crystal structure of BiFeO₃ (rhombohedral) is invariant even with Dy-substitution at the Bi-site upto x=0.2. The scanning electron micrograph of the compounds showed (i) the uniform distribution of grains on the sample surface with high density and (ii) reduction of grain size on increasing Dy content in BiFeO₃ (BFO). Studies of impedance, electrical modulus and electric conductivity of the materials in wide frequency (10–1000 kHz) and temperature (30–500 °C) ranges using a complex impedance spectroscopy technique have provided new and interesting information on the contribution of grains, grain boundary and interface in these parameters. Detailed studies of impedance spectroscopy clearly exhibit the dielectric relaxation of non-Debye type. The ac conductivity of the Dy-substituted BFO obeyed Jonscher's universal power law. An increase in Dy-content in BDFO results in the increase of spontaneous magnetization of BFO due to the collapse of spin cycloid structure.     

Structural,magnetic, vibrational and impedance properties of Pr and Ti codoped BiFeO3 multiferroic ceramics

Single-phase (Bi_1−xPr_x)(Fe_1−xTi_x)O₃ ceramics (x=0.03, 0.06, and 0.10 as BPFT-3, BPFT-6 and BPFT-10, respectively) were synthesized by conventional solid state reaction method. The effect of varying Pr and Ti codoping concentration on the structural, magnetic, dielectric and optical properties of the BPFT ceramics have been investigated. X-ray diffraction indicated pure rhombohedral phase formation for BPFT-3 and BPFT-6 ceramics, however, a structural phase transition from a rhombohedral to an orthorhombic phase has been observed for BPFT-10 ceramic. The maximum remnant magnetization of 0.1824 emu/g has been observed in BPFT-6. With increasing codoping concentration the room temperature dielectric measurements showed enhancement in dielectric properties with reduced dielectric loss. UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectra demonstrated the strong absorption of light in the visible region for a band gap variation 2.31–2.34 eV. Infrared spectroscopy indicated the shifting of Bi/Pr–O and Fe/Ti–O bonds vibrations and change in Fe/Ti–O bond lengths. Decrease in the conductivity on increasing Pr and Ti concentration in BFO is attributed to an enhancement in the barrier properties leading to suppression of lattice conduction path arising due to lattice distortion as confirmed from impedance analysis.     

Tuning of BiFeO3 multiferroic properties by light doping with Nb

Bulk ceramic samples of BiFeO₃ were light doped (up to 1%) with Nb⁵⁺ in the place of Fe³⁺ (B-site doping) and their multiferroic properties were investigated using XRD, SEM, polarization (PMTS) and magnetization (SQUID) techniques. It is shown that even the small percentages of doping can notably change electric and magnetic behavior. Electric conductivity differs by two orders of magnitude between samples doped with 0.2% and 1% Nb. The ferroelectric behavior strongly depended on conduction mechanism, and transition from space-charge-limited current (SCLC) conduction to trap-filled limited (TFL) conduction regime reflected on a change in hysteresis patterns, particularly for the samples with 0.2% and 0.5% Nb. Separation of ZFC-FC magnetization curves occurred for all Nb concentrations and increased with Nb doping. Weak ferromagnetic behavior and the increase of remnant magnetization with Nb concentration was observed from the hysteresis measurements. Coercive field changed drastically compared to the pure BiFeO₃, namely, the sample with 1% Nb exhibited very high coercive magnetic field of ~ 10?kOe.     

Synthesis and magnetic properties of CoAlFe2O4 nanoparticles

Nanosized particles of CoAl_xFe_2-xO₄, where 0?≤?x?≤?2, were synthesized by the sol–gel combustion method and the magnetic properties of these compounds were investigated. According to X-ray diffractograms, the samples are single phase and the crystallite size is between 7 and 25?nm. The room temperature saturation magnetization of the samples was estimated from the cation distribution and ferromagnetic resonance spectra were used to determine the magnetocrystalline anisotropy. The results show that the saturation magnetization and the magnetocrystalline anisotropy vary over a wide range, from maxima of M_s =?0.42?MA/m and K?=?0.39?kJ/m³ for x?=?1.0 to minima of almost zero for x?≈?1.4, a result that could be useful for practical applications of these materials.     

Effects of Nd3+ and high-valence Nb5+ co-doping on the structural,dielectric and magnetic properties of BiFeO3 multiferroics

Bi_0.90Nd_0.10Fe_1?xNb_xO₃ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.05) multiferroics have been studied to reveal the effect of Nb doping on the physical properties of the neodymium modified BiFeO₃. These samples have been synthesized via conventional solid state reaction method. The structural characterization was performed by XRD technique and Rietveld refinement. Rietveld refinement results confirmed that all samples crystallized in rhombohedral symmetry. In the vicinity of anti-ferromagnetic Neel-temperature (T_N), an anomaly was observed in dielectric constant (?′) and loss tangent (tan δ) which indicates the existence of magnetoelectric coupling. It is observed that with Nb doping dielectric constant was reduced and Neel temperature shifted towards higher temperature. The impedance (Nyquist plots) and modulus spectroscopy revealed that materials possess non-Debye type of relaxation. The doping of donor ion is able to suppress the existence of oxygen vacancies which results in increase in resistivity. The B-site doping by higher valence ion suppresses the existing modulated spin structure by structural distortion, results in released net magnetization. The room temperature remanent magnetization increased with Nb doping and all powder samples possess weak ferromagnetism. The possible reasons for the notable magnetic and dielectric performance of prepared samples were discussed.     

Synthesis and magnetic properties of monodisperse CoFe2O4 nanoparticles coated by SiO2

The monodisperse CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles were synthesized by a modified chemical coprecipitation method. Coating SiO₂ on the surface of the CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles was carried out to keep single domain particles non-interacting with cubic magnetocrystalline anisotropy. The Curie temperatures (T_c) of the monodisperse CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles can be accurately measured because the SiO₂ shells prevented the aggregation and growth of nanoparticles at high temperature. The magnetic properties of the CoFe₂O₄@SiO₂ nanoparticles with core-shell structure in a wide temperature range (300～950?K) were investigated. It is remarkable that the coercive field (H_c) of CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles increased from about 760?Oe to 1806?Oe after being coated with SiO₂, which increased by 137.6% compared to the uncoated samples at 300?K. The saturation magnetization (M_s) of the CoFe₂O₄@SiO₂ nanoparticles is 34.59?emu/g, which is about 52% of the naked CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles value (66.51?emu/g) at 300?K. The hysteresis loops of the CoFe₂O₄@SiO₂ nanoparticles showed an orderly magnetic behavior at high temperature, such as the M_s, remanence magnetization (M_r) and H_c decreased as temperature increasing, being equal to zero near T_c. This is a good indication that the CoFe₂O₄@SiO₂ nanoparticles are suitable for a wide variety of technological applications at high temperature.     

Room-temperature magnetic control of ferroelectric polarization and enhanced ferromagnetic properties in 0.8BiFeO3-BaTiO3 ceramic

A multiferroic 0.8BiFeO₃ ??0.2BaTiO₃ (0.8BF-BaT) ceramic was prepared by solid-state reaction to study the magnetic control of its ferroelectric polarization and ferromagnetic properties. The influence of the magnetic field H on the ferroelectric polarization of 0.8BF-BaT ceramic was investigated. The maximum displacement current density Jm and the remanent polarization Pr of 0.8BF-BaT increased by 35% and 20% respectively after it being magnetized, indicating that the polarization was suppressed in the magnetic domain walls. Under a magnetic field of H?=?0.7?T, Jm and Pr decreased by 6.1% and 6.4% respectively, revealing coupling between polarization P and magnetic field H. The magnetic properties of BiFeO₃ were improved by introducing of BaTiO₃ and the magnetic Néel temperature T_N increased by 70?K because of structural effects.     

Structural and ferroelectric properties of hafnium substituted BiFeO3 multiferroics synthesized via auto combustion technique

A series of BiFe_1-xHf_(3/4)xO₃ ( 0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%) nanoparticles were synthesized by simple auto combustion technique using citric acid as a fuel. Thermogravimetric (TGA), differential thermogravimetric (DTA), structural, magnetic, dielectric and ferroelectric analyses were investigated. Thermogravimetric analysis provides information of temperature at which phase develops (600?°C). DTA predicts ferroelectric to paraelectric transformation temperature which is found to be 822?°C. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results confirm formation of distorted rhombohedral structure for all compositions along with few traces of Bi₂₅FeO₄₀. The tolerance factor is increased from 0.845 to 0.853 due to larger ionic radius of Hf⁴⁺ substitution on Fe site. Crystallite size (D) is found in the range of 24.2–30.48?nm. Saturation magnetization (Ms) is increased to 16 times and remanent magnetization (Mr) is increased to 8 times than that of pure BiFeO₃. This increment in magnetic parameters is due to reduction of oxygen vacancies, small crystalline size (less than 62?nm), structural distortion and unbalancing condition for antiferromagnetic magnetic moments of Fe³⁺ ions. Dielectric parameters depict decrement behavior with increasing of applied field up to 3?GHz. For Fe_1-xHf_(3/4)xO₃, lower value of dielectric permittivity for all compositions is due to reduction of polarization and less growth of grains but more growth of grain boundaries because of mismatching of Hf and Fe³⁺ ions. P-E hysteresis loop changes from round shape to elliptical shape and it confirms less lossy nature of ferroelectric loops. Higher values of Ms as well as Mr but lower values of dielectric constant as well as remanent polarization for these nanoparticles make them useful for MeRAM (magnetoelectric random access memory) and high resonant applications.     

Co3O4纳米颗粒的制备及其超级电容性能研究

采用简单化学沉淀法,以十六烷基三甲基溴化铵(CTAB)为模板,Co(NO3)2.6H2O和NaOH为原料,空气作为温和氧化剂,室温下合成了具有花状分级多孔结构的Co3O4纳米颗粒电极材料。X-射线衍射(XRD)表明,产物中主要成分为Co3O4;扫面电镜的结果显示,制备的材料具有菜花状分级多孔结构;电化学测试结果表明,最高比容量达250 F/g,且经过1 000次循环后,容量保持了84%,显示出良好的超级电容性能。     

Microwave combustion synthesis,magneto-optical and electrochemical properties of NiMoO4 nanoparticles for supercapacitor application

Nickel molybdate (NiMoO₄) nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized by a simplistic one-pot microwave combustion method using urea as the fuel. The produced NPs have been examined by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) analysis, scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) analysis. Further, optical and electronic properties were determined by UV-Visible and Photoluminescence (PL) analysis, respectively. The magnetic performance of the NiMoO₄ NPs was investigated by vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and the surface chemical composition was identified by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The electrochemical activities of the NiMoO₄ NPs were studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and galvanostatic charge/discharge (GCD) analysis. From the results, the CV curves indicated the occurrence of redox couples and besides with the EIS data (Nyquist plot), confirmed the supercapacitor nature of the synthesized NiMoO₄. The prepared NiMoO₄ exhibits a high specific capacitance and rateability. This electrode grants a high specific capacitance of 450?F?g^?1 at 2?mA?cm^?2 and the well permanency with a cycling proficiency of 94% after 1000 cycles. These results clearly showed that the synthesized NiMoO₄ NPs have potential application for the forthcoming flexible and lightweight energy storage.     

Synthesis and multiferroism in mechanically processed BiFeO3–PbTiO3 ceramics

In this study, (1 − x)BiFeO₃–(x)PbTiO₃ multiferroic ceramics, with x = 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3 and 0.4, were processed through high-energy ball milling followed by reactive sintering in air atmosphere. The optimization of the procedure for the preparation of highly-dense (1 − x)BiFeO₃–(x)PbTiO₃ ceramics was carefully investigated and structural/microstructural effects on ferroic properties were carefully addressed. Shrinkage dilatometric measurements revealed an expansion related to a sintering reaction that has occurred before densification. This sintering behaviour was highly PbTiO₃ concentration-dependent. The sintering mechanism was found to be directly related with the aliovalent substitution of Pb and Ti ions on A and B sites of the perovskite structure. The obtained ceramics were confirmed as ferroelectric ordered in ferroelectric characterizations. Remnant polarizations and coercive fields greatly dependent on grain size distribution and aliovalent substitutions were revealed. The magnetic hysteresis displayed a weak-ferromagnetic behaviour in all studied samples.     

Structural,morphological, and magnetic properties of sol-gel derived La0.7Ca0.3MnO3 manganite nanoparticles

La_0.7Ca_0.3MnO₃ (LCMO) manganite nanoparticles are synthesized via a sol-gel route at different annealed temperatures. Their structural, morphological, and magnetic properties are investigated. The X-ray diffraction patterns coupled with electron diffraction confirm that all the LCMO samples are single phase and crystallize in the orthorhombic perovskite structure (Pnma space group). The morphology of the samples observed by TEM, reveals a spherical shape with an average grain size lower than 50 nm. The resolved lattice fringes in high-resolution TEM images also reveal the single crystalline nature of the LCMO nanoparticles. Magnetization measurements versus temperature under low magnetic field (0.01 T) show a paramagnetic - ferromagnetic transition for all the samples. The Curie temperature (T_c) is found to be decreased with increasing the annealed temperature. A bifurcation is observed in the zero field-cooled and field-cooled magnetizations, indicating a competition between ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic interactions in the nanoparticles at low temperatures. Field-cooled hysteresis measurements suggest a cluster glasslike behavior of the nanoparticles. Room temperature and low temperature M - H loops demonstrate that all the samples exhibit ferromagnetic behavior at 5 K, whereas a paramagnetic behavior at room temperature. Resistivity behavior of the LCMO samples shows that they exhibit a metal - insulator transition. Magnetoresistance of ~ 50% at the field up to 8 T was observed at 2 K in the LSCO samples annealed at 600 °C.     

Tuning magnetic properties of BiFeO3 thin films by controlling Mn doping concentration

Mn-doped BiFeO₃ (BiFe_1–xMn_xO₃, x = 0, 0.03, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15 and 0.20) polycrystalline multiferroic thin films were successfully synthesized using the facile sol-gel spin-coating method. The crystal structures, surface features, elements valences, and magnetic properties of as-prepared samples were systematically explored. X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy studies revealed the substitutions of Mn into the Fe site and a rhombohedral-to-orthorhombic phase transition. The Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy showed a decrease in the average particle sizes and an improvement of surface morphology with increasing the concentration of the substitutes. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy confirmed the doping concentration of Mn²⁺ in the samples. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicated the co-existence of Mn²⁺/Mn³⁺ ions in the doped films. The remnant magnetization value of BiFe_0.90Mn_0.10O₃ thin film was found to be approximately six times than that of pure BiFeO₃ thin film under a magnetic field of 10 kOe. The enhanced magnetic property of BiFe_0.90Mn_0.10O₃ thin film was mainly ascribed to the structural distortion of spin cycloid and the enhancement of super-exchange interaction between the Fe³⁺ (Mn²⁺) and O^2- ions.     

Structural,magnetic, and magnetotransport properties of LaFe0.5Ni0.5O3

The perovskite-type LaFe_0.5Ni_0.5O₃ belonging to the rhombohedral (space group R-3c) crystal structure has been synthesized for which we have identified a magnetic transition at T₁ =?8?K corresponding to the minimum observed in the derivative of temperature dependent magnetization. A bifurcation in the ZFC and FC curves is observed below T₁ that suggests a frustrated magnetic behavior. The non-zero moment above T₁ hints the possibility of the presence of a high-temperature magnetic transition in the material. The resistivity of LaFe_0.5Ni_0.5O₃ evolves as a function of temperature similar to that of a semiconductor. Mott's variable range hopping governs the conduction mechanism of the material. Presence of various anisotropy terms and inhomogeneous magnetic interactions lead to the presence of antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic interfaces, which eventually causes a magnetic exchange bias and magnetic hysteresis in resistivity. We have also observed direction dependent magnetoresistance in the material.     

Structural,electrical, magnetic and magnetoelectric properties of Co-doped BaTiO3 multiferroic ceramics

In this work, BaTi_1-xCo_xO₃ (BTCO) ceramics with x?=?0, 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10?mol% have been synthesized and their structural, electrical, magnetic and magnetoelectric have been investigated. Rietveld refinement of XRD data reveals that pure BTO has pure tetragonal phase. On the other hand, between 2.5?≤?x?≤?7.5, BTCO shows both tetragonal as well as hexagonal phases. At x?=?10?mol%, BTCO shows only hexagonal phase. The grain size of the BTCO samples is found to increase with Co doping concentration. The ferroelectric polarization and relative permittivity of BTCO samples reduce with an increase in the Co concentration. A standard magnetization equation is used for fitting the magnetic hysteresis (M-H) curve, thus deconvoluting the ferromagnetic (FM) and paramagnetic (PM) components. The saturation magnetization (M_s) gradually increases from x?=?2.5 to x?=?10?mol%, the value being 0.8 memu/g and 8.92 memu/g respectively. The origin of magnetization is due to the oxygen vacancies and their associated exchange interaction. The magnetodielectric coefficient (MD) shows a reducing trend from 1.80 to 0.18 for x?=?2.5 to x?=?10?mol% respectively. The magnetoelectric coefficient $({\alpha }_{\mathit{ME}})$ for x?=?2.5?mol% is 3.399?mV/cm. Oe, while for x?=?10?mol% it is 0.896?mV/cm. Oe.     

(Fe1-xDyx)3C/C composites: structure,magnetism and electrocatalytic properties for hydrogen evolution reaction

The (Fe_1-xDy_x)₃C@C composites were produced by a simple sol-gel route. The structure, composition, morphology and magnetism of the composites are studied by many characterization methods, for example, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM, TEM) as well as vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). Analysis of the above results indicates that the (Fe_1-xDy_x)₃C is embedded in carbon nanotubes and carbon matrix and displays ferromagnetic properties. Moreover, this indicates that saturation magnetization (M_S) values of the composites tend to increase with the increase in Dy doping. More importantly, we investigates the electrochemical hydrogen production capacity of the (Fe_1-xDy_x)₃C@C composites.     

Effect of Ti3AlC2 precursor on the electrochemical properties of the resulting MXene Ti3C2 for Li-ion batteries

The presented work compared the etching behavior between combustion synthesized Ti₃AlC₂ (SHS-Ti₃AlC₂) and pressureless synthesized Ti₃AlC₂ (PLS-Ti₃AlC₂). Because the former had a more compact structure, it was harder to be etched than PLS-Ti₃AlC₂ under the same conditions. When served as anode material for Li-ion batteries, SHS-Ti₃C₂ showed much lower capacity than PLS-Ti₃C₂ at 1?C (52.7 and 87.4?mAh?g^?1, respectively) due to the smaller d-spacing. Furthermore, Potentiostatic Intermittent Titration Technique (PITT) was used to determine the Li-ion chemical diffusion coefficient (${\mathrm{D}}_{{\mathrm{Li}}^{+}}$) of Ti₃C₂ in the range of 10^?10 ??10^?9 cm² s^?1, indicating that Ti₃C₂ could exhibit an excellent diffusion mobility for Li-ion.     

Influence of in-situ magnetic field pressing on the structural and multiferroic behaviour of BiFeO3 ceramics

Polycrystalline single phase BiFeO₃ (BFO) ceramic samples have been prepared by conventional solid state sintering and also by in-situ magnetic field pressing followed by solid state sintering. The influence of in-situ magnetic field pressing on the structural, magnetic, ferroelectric and thermal properties has been investigated in this work. X-ray diffraction analysis and Reitveld refinement shows the single phase characteristics of BFO samples. Further texture formation and the development of compressive lattice strain have been observed in the magnetic field pressed samples. A change in Fe-O-Fe bond angle and suppression of spiral spin structure results in the enhanced magnetization value M_s = 136 memu/g at 2 T. Similarly spontaneous polarization has also improved with a P_max value of 1.3 μC/cm². DSC plot shows a significant variation in heat flow and enthalpy at the Neel transition (T_N = 372 °C) and ferro to paraelectric transition (T_C = 820 °C) for the magnetic field pressed BFO samples.