Structural, optical, magnetic and photoelectrochemical properties of (BiFeO3)1−x(Fe3O4)x nanocomposites
Source abstract
Abstract
(BiFeO3)1−x(Fe3O4)x nanocomposites were prepared by dispersion of Fe3O4 nanoparticles (NP) into sol–gel synthesised BiFeO3 (BFO) matrix followed by calcination at 500 °C. Samples with x = 0.0, 0.2, 0.33 and 0.5 were investigated using X-ray diffractions (XRD), UV–vis spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL), transmissions electron microscopes (TEM), electron spin resonance (ESR), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and photoelectrochemical (PEC) measurements. Formation of nanocomposites was confirmed by XRD and TEM. The XRD patterns showed presence of both BFO and Fe3O4 phases without any secondary phases. The crystallite size of BFO (39.1–51.1 nm) is much bigger than that of Fe3O4 (10.1–12 nm). Microstrain of BFO decreased for sample x = 0.2 and 0.33 and then increased for x = 0.5. Optical band gap of samples decreased from 2.5 eV for x = 0.0–1.96 eV for sample x = 0.5. The PL emission which centred at 428.1 eV for x = 0.0 increased gradually for samples x = 0.2 and 0.33 and then decreased for x = 0.5. Exchange bias (HEB) was observed for hysteresis loops of all samples, and the highest value of HEB was 38.4 Oe for x = 0.5. The g-values of the nanocomposites, ranged between 2.23 and 2.20, were higher than that of the BFO and Fe3O4 components. The PEC measurement showed the photocurrent density increased with x. Finally, modulations of the physical properties of BFO/Fe3O4 system were analysed and discussed in detail.
Source: openaire · Quality: candidate unverified · Source record ↗
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Multiferroics and related materials · Ferroelectric and Piezoelectric Materials · Magnetic Properties and Synthesis of Ferrites
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
References (39)
Show source-provided references
1. Wu J, Fan Z, Xiao D, Zhu J, Wang J (2016) Multiferroic bismuth ferrite-based materials for multifunctional applications: ceramic bulks, thin films and nanostructures. Prog Mater Sci 84:335–402. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmatsci.2016.09.00110.1016/j.pmatsci.2016.09.001 ↗
2. Catalan G, Scott JF (2009) Physics and applications of bismuth ferrite. Adv Mater 21:2463–2485. https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.20080284910.1002/adma.200802849 ↗
3. Martin LW, Crane SP, Chu YH, Holcomb MB, Gajek M, Huijben M, Yang CH, Balke N, Ramesh R (2008) Multiferroics and magnetoelectrics: thin films and nanostructures. J Phys Condens Matter 20. https://doi.org/10.1088/0953-8984/20/43/43422010.1088/0953-8984/20/43/434220 ↗
4. Železný V, Chvostová D, Pajasová L, Vrejoiu I, Alexe M (2010) Optical properties of epitaxial BiFeO3 thin films. Appl Phys A 100:1217–1220. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-010-5881-z10.1007/s00339-010-5881-z ↗
5. Xu J-P, Zhang R-J, Chen Z-H, Wang Z-Y, Zhang F, Yu X, Jiang A-Q, Zheng Y-X, Wang S-Y, Chen L-Y (2014) Optical properties of epitaxial BiFeO3 thin film grown on SrRuO3-buffered SrTiO3 substrate. Nanoscale Res Lett 9:188. https://doi.org/10.1186/1556-276X-9-18810.1186/1556-276X-9-188 ↗
6. Ren Y, Nan F, You L, Zhou Y, Wang Y, Wang J, Su X, Shen M, Fang L (2017) Enhanced photoelectrochemical performance in reduced graphene oxide/BiFeO3 heterostructures. Small 13:1603457–1603. https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.20160345710.1002/smll.201603457 ↗
7. Dong H, Wu Z, Wang S, Duan W, Li J (2013) Improving the optical absorption of BiFeO3 for photovoltaic applications via uniaxial compression or biaxial tension. Appl Phys Lett 102. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.479339710.1063/1.4793397 ↗
8. Cao D, Wang Z, Nasori, Wen L, Mi Y, Lei Y (2014) Switchable charge-transfer in the photoelectrochemical energy-conversion process of ferroelectric BiFeO3 photoelectrodes. Angew Chemie 126:11207–11211. https://doi.org/10.1002/ange.20140604410.1002/ange.201406044 ↗
9. Fan Z, Ji W, Li T, Xiao J, Yang P, Ong KP, Zeng K, Yao K, Wang J (2015) Enhanced photovoltaic effects and switchable conduction behavior in BiFe0.6Sc0.4O3 thin films. Acta Mater 88:83–90. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actamat.2015.01.02110.1016/j.actamat.2015.01.021 ↗
10. Li Z, Shen Y, Yang, C, Lei Y, Guan Y, Lin PYH, Liu D, Nan C (2013) Significant enhancement in the visible light photocatalytic properties of BiFeO3-graphene nanohybrids. J Mater Chem A 823–829. https://doi.org/10.1039/c2ta00141a10.1039/c2ta00141a ↗
11. Wu H, Xue P, Lu Y, Zhu X (2018) Microstructural, optical and magnetic characterizations of BiFeO3 multiferroic nanoparticles synthesized via a sol-gel process. J Alloy Compd 731:471–477. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jallcom.2017.10.08710.1016/j.jallcom.2017.10.087 ↗
12. Zhang C, Li Y, Chu M, Rong N, Xiao P, Zhang Y (2016) Hydrogen-treated BiFeO3 nanoparticles with enhanced photoelectrochemical performance. RSC Adv 6:24760–24767. https://doi.org/10.1039/C5RA23699A10.1039/C5RA23699A ↗
13. Xu H-M, Wang H, Shi J, Lin Y, Nan C (2016) Photoelectrochemical performance observed in Mn-doped BiFeO3 heterostructured thin films. Nanomaterials 6. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano611021510.3390/nano6110215 ↗
14. Adhlakha N, Yadav KL (2014) Structural, dielectric, magnetic, and optical properties of Ni0.75Zn0.25Fe2O4–BiFeO3 composites. J. Mater Sci 49:4423–4438. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-014-8139-x10.1007/s10853-014-8139-x ↗
15. Ummer RP, Sreekanth P, Raneesh B, Philip R, Rouxel D, Thomas S, Kalarikkal N (2015) Electric, magnetic and optical limiting (short pulse and ultrafast) studies in phase pure (1−x)BiFeO3−xNaNbO3 multiferroic nanocomposite synthesized by the pechini method. RSC Adv 5:67157–67164. https://doi.org/10.1039/C5RA10422J10.1039/C5RA10422J ↗
16. Shariq M, Kaur D, Chandel VS (2017) Structural, magnetic and optical properties of mulitiferroic (BiFeO3)1−x(BaTiO3)x solid solutions. Chin J Phys 55:2192–2198. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cjph.2017.04.02110.1016/j.cjph.2017.04.021 ↗
17. Choi E-M, Weal E, Bi Z, Wang H, Kursumovic A, Fix T, Blamire MG, MacManus-Driscoll JL (2013) Strong room temperature exchange bias in self-assembled BiFeO3–Fe3O4 nanocomposite heteroepitaxial films. Appl Phys Lett 102:12905. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.477356710.1063/1.4773567 ↗
18. Kaur I, Verma NK (2015) Magnetic and electric properties of BFO-NFO nanocomposites. Mater Sci Semicond Process 33:32–35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mssp.2015.01.03210.1016/j.mssp.2015.01.032 ↗
19. Leostean C, Pana O, Stefan M, Popa A, Toloman D, Senila M, Gutoiu S, Macavei S (2018) New properties of Fe3O4@SnO2 core shell nanoparticles following interface charge/spin transfer. Appl Surf Sci 427:192–201. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsusc.2017.07.26710.1016/j.apsusc.2017.07.267 ↗
20. Stefan M, Pana O, Leostean C, Bele C, Silipas D, Senila M, Gautron E (2014) Synthesis and characterization of Fe3O4–TiO2 core–shell nanoparticles. J Appl Phys 116:114312. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.489607010.1063/1.4896070 ↗
21. Yang H, Jin C, Mi WB, Bai HL, Chen GF (2012) Electronic and magnetic structure of Fe3O4/BiFeO3 multiferroic superlattices: first principles calculations. J Appl Phys 112:63925. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.475580510.1063/1.4755805 ↗
22. Qu TL, Zhao YG, Yu P, Zhao HC, Zhang S, Yang LF (2012) Exchange bias effects in epitaxial Fe3O4/BiFeO3 heterostructures. Appl Phys Lett 100:242410. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.472940810.1063/1.4729408 ↗
23. Tripathy SN, Pradhan DK, Mishra KK, Sen S, Palai R, Paulch M, Scott JF, Katiyar RS, Pradhan DK (2015) Phase transition and enhanced magneto-dielectric response in BiFeO3–DyMnO3 multiferroics. J Appl Phys 117:144103. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.491692710.1063/1.4916927 ↗
24. Chakrabarti K, Sarkar B, Ashok VD, Das K, Chaudhuri SS, Mitra A, De SK (2014) Exchange bias effect in BiFeO3–NiO nanocomposite. J Appl Phys 115:13906. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.486114010.1063/1.4861140 ↗
25. Liu H, Guo Y, Guo B, Zhang D (2013) Synthesis and visible-light photocatalysis capability of BiFeO3–(Na0.5Bi0.5)TiO3 nanopowders by a sol–gel method. Solid State Sci 19:69–72. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solidstatesciences.2013.02.00810.1016/j.solidstatesciences.2013.02.008 ↗
26. Baqiah H, Ibrahim NB, Halim SA, Talib ZA, Flaifel MH, Abdi MH (2017) Conducting mechanisms and magnetic behaviours of Fe-doped In2O3 nanocrystalline films. Results Phys. 7:1115–1121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rinp.2017.03.00410.1016/j.rinp.2017.03.004 ↗
27. Bai X, Wei J, Tian B, Liu Y, Reiss T, Guiblin N, Gemeiner P, Dkhil B, Infante C, Size I (2016) Effect on optical and photocatalytic properties in BiFeO3 nanoparticles. J Phys Chem C 120:3595–3601. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpcc.5b0994510.1021/acs.jpcc.5b09945 ↗
28. Pisarev RV, Moskvin AS, Kalashnikova AM, Rasing T (2009) Charge transfer transitions in multiferroic BiFeO3 and related ferrite insulators. Phys Rev B - Condens Matter Mater Phys 79. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.79.23512810.1103/PhysRevB.79.235128 ↗
29. Prashanthi K, Thakur G, Thundat T (2012) Surface enhanced strong visible photoluminescence from one-dimensional multiferroic BiFeO3 nanostructures. Surf Sci 606. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.susc.2012.06.00310.1016/j.susc.2012.06.003 ↗
30. Mishra DK, Qi X (2010) Energy levels and photoluminescence properties of nickel-doped bismuth ferrite. J Alloy Compd 504:27–31. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jallcom.2010.05.10710.1016/j.jallcom.2010.05.107 ↗
31. Singh A, Khan ZR, Vilarinho PM, Gupta V, Katiyar RS (2014) Influence of thickness on optical and structural properties of BiFeO3 thin films: PLD grown. Mater Res Bull 49:531–536. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.materresbull.2013.08.05010.1016/j.materresbull.2013.08.050 ↗
32. Zhang C, Wang SY, Liu WF, Xu XL, Li X, Zhang H, Gao J, Li DJ (2017) Room temperature exchange bias in multiferroic BiFeO3 nano- and microcrystals with antiferromagnetic core and two-dimensional diluted antiferromagnetic shell. J Nanoparticle Res 19. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-017-3880-010.1007/s11051-017-3880-0 ↗
33. Huang F, Wang Z, Lu X, Zhang J, Min K, Lin W, Ti R, Xu T, He J, Yue C, Zhu J (2013) Peculiar magnetism of BiFeO3 nanoparticles with size approaching the period of the spiral spin structure. Sci Rep 3:2907, https://doi.org/10.1038/srep02907 , http://www.nature.com/articles/srep02907#supplementary-information10.1038/srep02907 ↗
34. Mazumdar SC, Khan MNI, Islam MF, Hossain AKMA (2016) Tuning of magnetoelectric coupling in (1−y)Bi0.8Dy0.2FeO3–yNi0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 multiferroic composites. J Magn Magn Mater 401:443–454. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmmm.2015.10.05110.1016/j.jmmm.2015.10.051 ↗
35. Liu XF, Li P, Jin C, Bai HL (2011) Enhancement of the magnetization in the Fe3O4/BiFeO3 epitaxial heterostructures fabricated by magnetron sputtering. Appl Phys Lett 99:182511. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.365948310.1063/1.3659483 ↗
36. Sharma A, Kotnala RK, Negi NS (2014) Observation of multiferroic properties and magnetoelectric effect in (x)CoFe2O4−(1−x)Pb0.7Ca0.3TiO3 composites. J Alloy Compd 582:628–634. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jallcom.2013.08.08710.1016/j.jallcom.2013.08.087 ↗
37. Salami M, Mirzaee O, Honarbakhsh-Raouf A, Lavasani SANH, Moghadam AK (2017) Structural, morphological and magnetic parameters investigation of multiferroic (1−x)Bi2Fe4O9–xCoFe2O4 nanocomposite ceramics. Ceram Int 43:14701–14709. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2017.07.19910.1016/j.ceramint.2017.07.199 ↗
38. Baqiah H, Talib ZA, Shaari AH, Tamchek N, Ibrahim NB (2018) Synthesis, optical and magnetic behavior of (BiFeO3)1−x(α-Fe2O3)x nanocomposites. Mater Sci Eng B 231:5–10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mseb.2018.03.00210.1016/j.mseb.2018.03.002 ↗
39. Holi AM, Zainal Z, Talib ZA, Lim HN, Yap CC, Chang SK, Ayal AK (2016) Hydrothermal deposition of CdS on vertically aligned ZnO nanorods for photoelectrochemical solar cell application. J Mater Sci Mater Electron 27:7353–736010.1007/s10854-016-4707-y ↗