Sol-gel synthesis and characterisation of (Nd,Cr) co-doped BiFeO3 nanoparticles |
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| Authors: | Pradeep Reddy Vanga RV Mangalaraja |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Nanomaterials Laboratory, Department of Physics, National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirapalli, India;2. Department of Materials Engineering, University of Concepcion, Concepcion, Chile |
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| Abstract: | Bi0.95Nd0.05Fe1–xCrxO3 (x = 0, 0.01, 0.03, 0.05) samples are synthesised by the sol-gel method. The variation in structure, magnetisation, electrical and photocatalytic properties by Cr doping at Fe site in Bi0.95Nd0.05FeO3 samples is analysed. X-ray diffraction pattern confirms the formation of rhombohedral structure in all the samples. The crystallite size is calculated using the Scherrer relation and found to be in nanometre range. Kubelka-Munk theory is used to determine the direct band gap of the samples from reflectance spectra. The saturation magnetisation is found to enhance the concentration of chromium. Arrott-Belov-Kouvel plot confirms the ferromagnetic nature in the samples. The leakage mechanisms are studied to understand the influence of Cr concentration on the BFO. A good correlation exists between the leakage current and ferroelectric behaviour. Photocatalytic tests show degradation of methylene blue dye in the presence of H2O2. A drastic decrease in photocatalytic activity is observed with the concentration of Cr. |
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| Keywords: | sol-gel magnetisation ferroelectric leakage current density photocatalytic |
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