Phase Formation, Microstructure and ‎Magnetic Properties of BiFeO3 Synthesized ‎by Sol-Gel Auto Combustion Method Using ‎Different Solvents

Ahmadi, P.; Alamolhoda, S.; Mirkazemi, S. M.

Phase Formation, Microstructure and ‎Magnetic Properties of BiFeO3 Synthesized ‎by Sol-Gel Auto Combustion Method Using ‎Different Solvents

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

P. Ahmadi

S. Alamolhoda

S. M. Mirkazemi

School of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering, Iran University of Science & Technology ‎‎(IUST), Narmak, 13114-16846,Tehran, Iran.‎

Abstract

In this research nano particles of bismuth ferrite (BiFeO₃) were synthesized by sol-gel auto-combustion route. The effect of water and ethylene glycol solvents were studied on phase constituents, magnetic properties and microstructure of the bismuth ferrite by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and vibration sample magnetometer (VSM) techniques. XRD results displayed formation of bismuth ferrite in both samples. Also lateral phases such as Bi₂O₃ and Fe₃O₄was formed in the sample synthesized with aqueous solvent. Using ethylene glycol as solvent the amount of formed Bi₂O₃ and Fe₃O₄ phases would be reduced. SEM results showed refinement of particles to the sizes less than 100nm, more uniformity inparticle size distribution and also reduction of their aggregation in the sample synthesized with ethylene glycol in comparison with the sample synthesized in aqueous solvent. VSM results of the combustion products show reduction of M_svalue from 11.83emu/g to 10.61emu/g using ethylene glycol. After heat treating of the samples at 650°C, M_svalues reach to 4emu/g and 2emu/g in the samples synthesized at aqueous and ethylene glycol solvents respectively. Changes in phase constituents, Microstructure and Magnetic properties have been discussed.