Synthesis of single phase BiFeO3 by one step method

Abstract

We synthesized several polycrystalline samples with nominal composition BiFeO3 by single step solid state route. The synthesis parameters like sintering temperature, duration were varied and quenching sequence was used to stabilize single phase. The phase evolution was studied by using Powder X-Ray diffraction (XRD). We confirmed single phase nature and rhombohedral structure in the samples synthesized under optimized conditions. The characteristic low magnetic moment resulting from antiferromagnetic ordering was observed using SQUID magnetometer. We also studied microstructure behavior of these samples using Scanning Electron Microscopy technique. © 2013 AIP Publishing LLC.