AUTO-COMBUSTION SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF MULTI-FERROIC (BiFeO3) MATERIALS

Abstract

Multiferroic BiFeO3 materials were synthesized by gel-combustion method using citric acid as a fuel. The as-synthesized materials were calcined at 600oC for 4 h to obtain single-phase material. The crystal structure and microstructural study were carried out using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). XRD results confirm the formation of single phase BiFeO3 which crystallize into a rhombohedral structure along with a small amount of impurity phases, which are subsequently removed by leaching the samples with dilute nitric acid. The electron micrographs indicated no compositional fluctuations and dense ceramic powder were obtained. TG/ DSC analysis of the samples shows a structural phase change from at 850oC. At higher temperatures appearance of impurity phases due to bismuth loss and liquid phases are seen.