Variation of crystal structure,magnetization, and dielectric properties of Nd and Ba co-doped BiFeO3 multiferroics

Multiferroics having composition Bi_0.80Nd_0.20-xBa_xFeO₃ were prepared to investigate the effect of doping on crystal structure, magnetic, and dielectric properties. The Rietveld refinement deduces the formation of mixed structural symmetry. With larger content of Nd, crystal structure consisting of major rhombohedral R3c and minor orthorhombic Pnma has been accomplished. The fraction of rhombohedral phase has been found to increase with doping of Ba up to x = 0.10. At composition x = 0.15, the orthorhombic phase Pnma disappears, and there is evolution of triclinic phase P1 in place of it. The mixed structure now accomplished contains ≈61% rhombohedral R3c and rest 39% triclinic P1. In solely Ba-doped sample (ie, at x = 0.20), the fraction of rhombohedral R3c phase again rises and attains ≈92% fraction of the structure along with rest triclinic P1 phase. The M-H loops depict enormous enhancement in magnetic properties with increasing doping of Ba. Dielectric constant (ε′) and dielectric loss (tan δ) both were found to increase with doping of Ba. The anomalies present in the dielectric constant and dielectric loss with temperature may be regarded to the hopping conduction of e⁻ between Fe³⁺ and Fe²⁺ and their interaction with oxygen vacancies.     

Role of (La,Gd) co-doping on the enhanced dielectric and magnetic properties of BiFeO3 ceramics

The effect of the La³⁺ and Gd³⁺ co-doping on the structure, electric and magnetic properties of BiFeO₃ (BFO) ceramics are investigated. For the compositions (x=0 and 0≤y≤0.15) in the perovskite structured La_xGd_yBi_1−(x+y)FeO₃ system, a tiny residual phase of Bi₂Fe₄O₉ is noticed. Such a secondary phase is suppressed with the incorporation of ‘La’ content (x). The magnitude of dielectric constant (ε_r) increases progressively by increasing the ‘La’ content from x=0 to 0.15 with a remarkable decrease of dielectric loss. For x=0.15, the system La_xGd_yBi_1−(x+y)FeO₃ exhibits highest remanent magnetization (M_r) of 0.18 emu/g and coercive magnetic field (H_C) of ~1 T in the presence of external magnetic field of 9 T at 300 K. The origin of enhanced dielectric and magnetic properties of La_xGd_yBi_1−(x+y)FeO₃ and the role of doping elements, La³⁺, Gd³⁺ has been discussed.     

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.     

Photocatalytic,magnetic, and electrochemical properties of La doped BiFeO3 nanoparticles

We successfully prepared La_1?xBi_xFeO₃ (L_xB_1?xFO, x?=?0.01–0.1) nanoparticles using a sol-gel technique, and studied their photocatalytic, magnetic, and electrochemical properties. Structural refinement studies of the prepared nanoparticles revealed a gradual structural transition from rhombohedral to orthorhombic. The average grain size was observed to decrease with increasing the concentration of La. The photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) in the presence of the prepared nanoparticles was studied under visible light irradiation. The L_0.06B_0.94FO nanoparticles showed higher degradation efficiency compared to pure BiFeO₃ (BFO) nanoparticles. Magnetic studies showed that La doping improved the magnetization of BFO due to the reduction in grain size and destruction of cycloid coupling of spins. Higher specific capacitance values were obtained for La doped BFO (LBFO) nanoparticles compared to BFO nanoparticles. A maximum specific capacitance of 219?F?g^?1 was obtained at a current density of 1?A?g^?1 for LBFO nanoparticles.     

Phase Evolution,Magnetic, Optical,and Dielectric Properties of Zr‐Substituted Bi0.9Gd0.1FeO3 Multiferroics

Polycrystalline BiFeO₃ (BFO) and Bi_0.90Gd_0.10Fe_1?xZr_xO₃ (x = 0.0–0.10; BGFZ_x) ceramics were synthesized by solid‐state reaction method. Rietveld analysis of X‐ray diffraction patterns showed that BFO and BGFZ_x = 0.0 samples are stabilized in rhombohedral structure (space group R3c), whereas a small fraction of orthorhombic phase (space group Pn2₁a) is observed for BGFZ_{x = 0.03–0.10} samples. Suppression and disappearance of some Raman modes indicated a structural phase transition with addition of Zr dopant at Fe site. Magnetic measurements exhibited weak ferromagnetic behavior of BGFZ_x samples with increasing Zr⁺⁴ concentrations. The insertion of Gd⁺³ ions at Bi⁺³ sites and nonmagnetic Zr⁺⁴ ions at Fe⁺³ sites in Fe–O–Fe network suppressed the spin cycloid structure of BFO which in turn enhanced the magnetization of these ceramics. Electron spin resonance spectra revealed the breaking of spin cycloid of BFO due to the development of free spins with addition of Zr⁺⁴ dopants at Fe sites. UV–Visible diffuse reflectance spectra showed one d–d crystal field transition and two charge‐transfer (C–T) transitions along with a sharp absorption of light in visible region for all samples. Almost frequency‐independent dielectric constant and dielectric loss along with very low values of dielectric loss indicated greatly improved dielectric properties for BGFZ_{x = 0.03–0.10} samples.     

Effect of (Zn,Mn) co-doping on the structure and ferroelectric properties of BiFeO3 thin films

BiFe_1-2xZn_xMn_xO₃ (BFZMO, with x = 0–0.05) thin films were synthesized via sol–gel method. Effects of (Zn, Mn) co-doping on the structure, ferroelectric, dielectric, and optical properties of BiFeO₃ (BFO) films were investigated. BFZMO thin films exhibit rhombohedral structure. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images indicate that co-doping leads to a decrease in grain size and number of defects. Leakage current density (4.60 × 10^?6 A/cm²) of BFZMO film with x = 0.02 was found to be two orders of magnitude lower than that of pristine BFO film. Owing to decreased leakage current density, saturated P–E curves were obtained. Maximum double remnant polarization of 413.2 μC/cm² was observed for BFZMO thin film with x = 0.02, while that for the BFO film was found to be 199.68 μC/cm². The reason for improved ferroelectric properties is partial substitution of Fe ions with Zn and Mn ions, which resulted in a reduction in the effect of oxygen vacancy defects. In addition, co-doping was found to decrease optical bandgap of BFO film, opening several possible routes for novel applications of these (Zn, Mn) co-doped BFO thin films.     

Enhanced magnetic and dielectric properties of Y doped bismuth ferrite nanofiber

Yttrium doped Bismuth ferrite (BFO) nanofiber was fabricated via a sol-gel-based electrospinning process with the fiber diameter in the range of 60–220 nm. The crystal structure, magnetic and dielectric properties were investigated at room temperature. The Rietveld refinement results indicate the phase transition from space group R3c to Pbnm by the Y doping. Dramatic increase of magnetization has been achieved in Y doped BFO nanofiber. Compared with BFO nanoparticle, the Bi_0.95Y_0.05FeO₃ nanofiber exhibits nearly eighteen-fold improved magnetization, which is the strongest in the reported Y doped BFO at the same doping level. The largely improved magnetization mainly originates from the serious suppression of spiral spin structure by the small crystal size of nanofiber structure. Moreover, the Bi_0.95Y_0.05FeO₃ nanofiber holds the lower dielectric loss and obvious dependence of the capacitance on bias voltage, indicating the improved ferroelectricity due to the decreased leakage current. The simultaneous enhancement of ferroelectricity and magnetization in Y doped BFO nanofiber suggests that nanofiber structure plays an important role in improving multiferroic performance.     

Sol–gel synthesis of Nd-doped BiFeO3 multiferroic and its characterization

Neodymium doped bismuth ferrite (BiFeO₃, BFO) nanoparticles were successfully synthesized by a facile sol–gel route. The influence of annealing temperature, time, Bi content and solvent on the crystal structure of BFO was studied. Results indicated that the optimum processing condition of BFO products was 550–600 °C/1.5 h with excess 3–6% Bi and ethylene glycol as solvent. On the other hand, Nd³⁺ ion was introduced into the BFO system and the effect of Nd³⁺ concentration on the structure, magnetic and dielectric properties of BFO were investigated. It was found that the magnetization of BFO was enhanced significantly with Nd³⁺ substitution, being attributed to the suppression of the spiral cycloidal magnetic structure led by the crystal structure transition. Furthermore, with increasing Nd³⁺ content, the dielectric constant was found to decrease while the dielectric loss was enhanced, which was mainly due to the hoping conduction mechanism with the reduction of oxygen vacancies.     

A Novel Approach to Improve Properties of BiFeO3 Nanomultiferroics

In this study we report the synthesis of Bi_1?xIn_xFe_1?yTi_yO₃ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.1, 0 ≤ y ≤ 0.05) nanoparticles by a simple cost effective solution combustion method. Pure BFO samples shows distorted rhombohedral perovskite structure with space group R3c which is also supported by Fourier transform infrared spectra study. The codoping of In and Ti at A–B sites of BFO (BIFTO) partially distorts the crystal structure, increases the lattice strain, reduces the average particle size (14 nm), and increases the Fe³⁺/Fe²⁺ ratio which significantly affect the observed results. The saturation magnetization increases significantly upon codoping (4.60 emu/gm) by about 12 times than that of pure BFO (0.4 emu/gm). The improved ferromagnetic properties upon codoping is further manifestated in large value of linear magnetoelectric coupling coefficient (4.8 mV/cmOe) which further provides an indirect evidence for the collapse of space modulated spin structure. The activation energy increases with codoping (0.68 eV), although less than 1 eV which indicates that the conduction is still dominated by charged defects.     

Structural,electric and multiferroic properties of Sm-doped BiFeO3 thin films prepared by the sol–gelprocess

Pure polycrystalline Bi_1−xSm_xFeO₃ (BSFO) (x=0–0.12) thin films were successfully prepared on FTO/glass substrates by the sol–gel method. The influence of Sm doping on the structure, dielectric, leakage current, ferroelectric and ferromagnetic properties of the BSFO films was investigated. X-ray diffraction analysis and FE-SEM images both reveal a gradual rhombohedra to pseudo-tetragonal phase transition with the increase of Sm dopant content. On one hand, a proper amount of Sm doping can decrease the leakage current densities of the BSFO thin films. On the other hand, excess Sm substitution for Bi will lead to multiphase coexistence in the film, the lattice inhomogeneity results in more defects in the film, which can increase the leakage current density. The result shows that defects in the complexes lead to electric domain back-switching in the BSFO_x=0.06 thin film, resulting in a decreased dielectric constant, leakage current and remanent polarization. The BSFO_x=0.09 thin film is promising in practical application because of its highest dielectric constant, remanent polarization and remanent magnetization of 203–185, 70 μC/cm² and 1.31 emu/cm³, respectively.     

Structural,morphological, dielectric and magnetic properties of Zn-Zr co-doping yttrium iron garnet

In this study, yttrium iron garnet co-doped with Zn and Zr atoms with a chemical formula Y₃Zn_xZr_xFe_(5−2x)O₁₂ (x = 0.0-0.3) has been successfully prepared by the solid-state reaction method. The effects of doping concentration on the microstructure, crystal structure, magnetic properties, and dielectric properties of Y₃Zn_xZr_xFe_(5−2x)O₁₂ were investigated. The microstructure analysis indicates that co-doping of YIG with Zn and Zr can effectively reduce the grain size of the ceramic. The crystal structure results reveal that the doping concentration of Zn–Zr has substantial influence on the lattice parameters of YIG, such as, increases the lattice constant, crystal cell size, and interplanar spacing. However, the second phase of ZrO₂ appears once x ≥ 0.15. Additionally, the dielectric properties of YIG ferrite can be regulated using this Zn–Zr co-doping method. Zn–Zr co-doping can improve the dielectric stability and reduce the dielectric loss at high temperature. The magnetization measurement shows that the saturation magnetization is stabilized at x < 0.15, and the magnetic loss is decreased with the increase in the doping concentration. Overall, the findings show that the ceramic with x = 0.1 exhibits better properties included high saturation magnetization (24.607 emu/g), low magnetic loss (0.0025 @ 1 MHz), and relatively low dielectric loss (496 @ 400°C).     

A-site strontium doping effects on structure,magnetic, and photovoltaic properties of (Bi1−xSrx)FeO3−δ multiferroic ceramics

Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), magnetization hysteresis loop, synchrotron X-ray absorption spectroscopy, and photovoltaic effects have been measured in (Bi_1−xSr_x)FeO_3−δ (BFO100xSr) ceramics for x=0.0, 0.05, 0.10, and 0.15. Raman spectra and XRD reveal a rhombohedral R3c structure in all compounds. A-site Sr²⁺ doping increases fluctuations in cation-site occupancy and causes broadening in Raman modes. BFO15Sr exhibits a strong ferromagnetic feature due to reduction of FeOFe bond angle evidenced by the extended synchrotron X-ray absorption fine structure. The heterostructure of indium tin oxide (ITO) film/(Bi_1−xSr_x)FeO_3−δ ceramic/Au film exhibit clear photovoltaic (PV) responses under blue illumination of λ=405 nm. The maximal power-conversion efficiency and external quantum efficiency in ITO/BFO5Sr/Au are about 0.004% and 0.2%, respectively. A model based on optically excited charges in the depletion region between ITO and (Bi_1−xSr_x)FeO_3−δ can well describe open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current as a function of illumination intensity.     

Structural,dielectric, vibrational and magnetic properties of Sm doped BiFeO3 multiferroic ceramics prepared by a rapid liquid phase sintering method

Rare earth Sm substituted Bi_1−xSm_xFeO₃ with x=0, 0.025, 0.05, 0.075 and 0.10 polycrystalline ceramics were synthesized by a rapid liquid phase sintering method. The effect of varying composition of Sm substitution on the structural, dielectric, vibrational, optical and magnetic properties of doped BiFeO₃ (BFO) ceramics have been investigated. X-ray diffraction patterns of the synthesized rare earth substituted multiferroic ceramics showed the pure phase formation with distorted rhombohedral structure with space group R3c. Good agreement between the observed and calculated diffraction patterns of Sm doped BFO ceramics in Rietveld refinement analysis of the X-ray diffraction patterns and Raman spectroscopy also confirmed the distorted rhombohedral perovskite structure with R3c symmetry. Dielectric measurements showed improved dielectric properties and magnetoelectric coupling around Néel temperature in all the doped samples. FTIR analysis establishes O–Fe–O and Fe–O stretching vibrations in BiFeO₃ and Sm-doped BiFeO₃. Photoluminescence (PL) spectra showed visible range emissions in modified BiFeO₃ ceramics. The magnetic hysteresis measurements at room temperature and 5 K showed the increase in the magnetization with the increase in doping concentration of Sm which is due to the structural distortion and partial destruction of spin cycloid caused by Sm doping in BFO ceramics.     

Effect of Ni2+ substitution on structural,magnetic, dielectric and optical properties of mixed spinel CoFe2O4 nanoparticles

Nanoparticles of Co_1−xNi_xFe₂O₄ with x=0.0, 0.10, 0.20, 0.30, 0.40 and 0.50 were synthesized by co-precipitation method. The structural analysis reveals the formation of single phase cubic spinel structure with a narrow size distribution between 13–17 nm. Transmission electron microscope images are in agreement with size of nanoparticles calculated from XRD. The field emission scanning electron microscope images confirmed the presence of nano-sized grains with porous morphology. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis confirmed the presence of Fe²⁺ ions with Fe³⁺. Room temperature magnetic measurements showed the strong influence of Ni²⁺ doping on saturation magnetization and coercivity. The saturation magnetization decreases from 91 emu/gm to 44 emu/gm for x=0.0–0.50 samples. Lower magnetic moment of Ni²⁺ (2 µ_B) ions in comparison to that of Co²⁺ (3 µ_B) ions is responsible for this reduction. Similarly, overall coercivity decreased from 1010 Oe to 832 Oe for x=0.0–0.50 samples and depends on crystallite size. Cation distribution has been proposed from XRD analysis and magnetization data. Electron spin resonance spectra suggested the dominancy of superexchange interactions in Co_1−xNi_xFe₂O₄ samples. The optical analysis indicates that Co_1−xNi_xFe₂O₄ is an indirect band gap material and band gap increases with increasing Ni²⁺ concentration. Dispersion behavior with increasing frequency is observed for both dielectric constant and loss tangent. The conduction process predominantly takes place through grain boundary volume. Grain boundary resistance increases with Ni²⁺ ion concentration.     

Investigation of structural,optical, dielectric and magnetic studies of Mn substituted BiFeO3 multiferroics

A series of Mn doped BiFeO₃ with composition BiMn_xFe_1−xO₃ (x = 0.0, 0.025, 0.05, 0.075, 0.1) was synthesized via a citrate precursor method. Structural, morphological, optical, electrical and magnetic properties were investigated by using various measurement techniques. XRD patterns confirmed that the materials possess distorted rhombohedral structure with space group R3c. Average crystallite size was found to be in the range 18–36 nm. A decrease in the value of lattice parameters has been observed due to contraction of unit cell volume with Mn doping. Higher tensile strain for the prepared nanoparticles was observed in Hall-Williamson Plot. Field Emission Scanning Microscopy (FESEM) showed the spherical, uniform, dense nanoparticles in the range 80–200 nm. Reduction in grain size was observed which may be due to suppression of grain growth with Mn doping. FTIR studies reported two strong peaks at 552 cm⁻¹ and 449 cm^-1 which confirmed the pervoskite structure. Dielectric properties were studied by measuring the dielectric constant and loss in the frequency range 1 kHz to 1 MHz. Magnetic hysteresis loop showed the retentivity (M_r) increasing from 0.0514 emu/g of BFO to 0.0931 emu/g of 10% Mn doping. Coercivity was found to increase upto 0.0582 T for 5% Mn doping and then reduced to 0.0344 T for 7.5% Mn doping. Saturation magnetization was observed to increase from 0.6791 emu/g for BFO to 0.8025 emu/g for 7.5% and then reduced to 0.6725 emu/g for 10% Mn doping in BFO. Improvement in dielectric and magnetic properties makes this material as a promising candidate for multifunctional device applications.     

Raman Vibrations,Domain Structures,and Photovoltaic Effects in A‐Site La‐Modified BiFeO3 Multiferroic Ceramics

Micro‐Raman spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM), oxygen vacancies, synchrotron X‐ray absorption spectroscopy, magnetizations, optical band gaps, and photovoltaic (PV) effects have been studied in (Bi_1?xLa_x)FeO₃ (BFO100xL) ceramics for x = 0.0, 0.05, 0.10, and 0.15. XRD, Raman spectra, and TEM confirm a rhombohedral R3c symmetry with the tilted FeO₆ oxygen octahedra in all compounds. The low‐frequency Raman vibrations become broader and shift toward higher frequency as La³⁺ increases. Fe K‐edge synchrotron X‐ray absorptions reveal that Fe³⁺ valence and Fe–O–Fe bond angle are not modified by the La³⁺ substitution. All compounds exhibit a linear antiferromagnetic feature. Optical transmission reveals band gaps in the range of 2.22–2.24 eV. The heterostructures of indium tin oxide (ITO) film/(Bi_1?xLa_x)FeO₃ ceramics/Au film show a p–n junction‐like I–V characteristic behavior. The maximal PV power conversion efficiency can reach 0.19% in ITO/BFO15L/Au under illumination of λ = 405 nm. A junction‐like theoretical model can reasonably describe open‐circuit voltage and short‐circuit current as a function of illumination intensity.     

Ti doping and low-temperature sintering of BiFeO3 nanoparticles synthesized by the solvothermal method

In this study, nanoparticles of ferroelectric BiFeO₃ (BFO) doped with 0, 5, and 10 mol% Ti were synthesized by an ethanol-based solvothermal method, and their densification behavior was investigated. The nanoparticles were densified via a normal sintering process at a low temperature of about 600 °C, resulting in dense bulk ceramics of undoped and Ti-doped BFO with a relative density of over 90%. The weight loss due to bismuth evaporation during sintering was suppressed below 0.6% because of the low sintering temperature. The crystal structure analysis of the resulting ceramics confirmed the incorporation of Ti ions into the Fe³⁺ site of BFO. The results of dielectric and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies showed that Ti doping effectively decreased the concentration of Fe⁴⁺ in the ceramics, leading to suppression of the extrinsic dielectric responses due to the Maxwell–Wagner effect and the hopping motion of the localized holes.     

Evolution of magnetic order in multiferroic Pb(Fe2/3W1/3)O3-BiFeO3 solid solution

Multiferroic materials have attracted much interest in the last decade due to both the intriguing fundamental science and the potential applications in spintronics and magnetoelectric data storage devices. In this work, we have investigated and discussed the evolution of the magnetic properties of the multiferroic (1-x)Pb(Fe_2/3 W_1/3)O₃-xBiFeO₃ solid solution ((1-x)PFW-xBFO, x = 0, 0.025, 0.05, 0.075, 0.1 and 0.15). The magnetic phase diagram is established based on the magnetic measurement results, which reveals six magnetically ordered states on the PFW-rich side of the solid solution. The origins of the complex evolution of magnetic order in the PFW-BFO solid solution are discussed from the point view of the variations in both the –Fe–O–Fe– and –Fe–O–W–O–Fe– superexchange routes, which are intimately related to the ratio of magnetic Fe³⁺ ion concentration on the B-site and the changes in the local structural order/disorder and chemical homogeneities. Combining the magnetic phase diagram with the relaxor characteristic phase diagram of the (1-x)PFW-xBFO system, a striking feature is found that the ergodic relaxor (ER) state and the weakly ferromagnetic phase coexist in the composition range of 0.025 ≤ x ≤ 0.1 between the freezing temperature T_f and the Burns temperature T_B.     

Structure and electrical properties of Zn-doped BiFeO3 films

BiFe_1−xZn_xO₃ (x = 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2 mol%) (BFZO) films were prepared on ITO/glass substrates by a sol-gel method. The effects of different Zn contents on the structures and electrical properties of the BFZO films were investigated. From X-ray diffraction (XRD), microstructure and X-ray spectroscopy (XPS) results, the BFZO films with a Zn content of 1 mol% showed a better crystal structure and grain development, and the Fe²⁺ and oxygen vacancy concentrations in this sample were the lowest among all the evaluated BFZO films. The P-E hysteresis loop indicated that the BFZO films with 1 mol% Zn had the highest remanent polarization (2Pr), which was 82.4 μC/cm², along with a coercive field (2E_c) of 887 kV/cm at the tested electric field of 857 kV/cm. The BFZO film with 1 mol% Zn had the lowest leakage current density, which was 3.54 × 10⁻⁷ A/cm² at the tested electric field of 200 kV/cm. Both at high and low electric fields, the space charge-limited current (SCLC) conduction mechanism was the main leakage mechanism. When the test frequency was 10⁵ Hz, the dielectric constant was 133, and the dissipation factor was 0.015.     

Structural,dielectric, magnetic,and ferroelectric properties of bismuth ferrite (BiFeO3) synthesized by a solvothermal process using hexamethylenetetramine (HMTA) as precipitating agent

Multiferroic BiFeO₃ (BFO) has been synthesized by the solvothermal technique for 4 h at 180 °C using Hexamethylenetetramine (HMTA) as a precipitating agent. Optimizations on HMTA concentration were performed to attain BFO in a narrow possible time using the solvothermal method. The effect of HMTA concentration on structural properties was investigated by XRD, FE-SEM, FT-IR, and Raman techniques. Moreover, the magnetic, ferroelectric, dielectric, and optical properties were studied by VSM, Ferroelectric analyser, Dielectric spectrometer, and UV–Vis–NIR spectrometer, respectively. The XRD data has unveiled the significant role of HMTA, as a precipitating agent, in obtaining the pure phase BFO at a particular concentration. A high concentration of HMTA (6 M) is found to be more favourable for producing pure phase BFO within the short reaction time of 4 h without any impurity phase formations. The FE-SEM images have shown the formation of granular structures that are inhomogeneously distributed throughout the powdered BFO with porosities. In addition, the magnetic measurements confirmed that the BFO synthesized with varying HMTA concentration exhibits a reasonable week ferromagnetic behaviour. However, the pure BFO powder synthesized at 6 M HMTA shows high magnetization value (0.72 emu/g) compared to the other samples synthesized at low concentrations of HMTA. Further, the dielectric measurements of all the synthesized BFO samples have shown a decrease in dielectric loss with an increase in frequency. Whereas the dielectric behaviour exhibited by the pure BFO synthesized at 6 M HMTA has shown a high dielectric constant value with moderate dielectric loss. A ferroelectric analyser studies the ferroelectric behaviour of BFO powder. The study revealed that pure phase BFO synthesized with 6 M HMTA exhibits a high value of remanent polarization with unsaturated P-E loops due to the high leakage current in the sample. The UV–Vis data shows that the BFO samples exhibited an excellent optical absorption in the visible range with narrow optical band gaps. Therefore, all the characterizations related to magnetic, structural, dielectric, ferroelectric, and optical properties of synthesized pure BFO have proven the significance of precipitating agent HMTA in the solvothermal synthesis method. Based on our findings, the synthesized pure phase BFO can be an excellent semiconducting photocatalyst for multiferroic based photocatalysis applications.