Structural, magnetic and photocatalytic properties of Sr2+-doped BiFeO3 nanoparticles based on an ultrasonic irradiation assisted self-combustion method

A novel ultrasonic irradiation assisted self-combustion method was developed to prepare single-phase Bi1−xSrxFeO3−δ (BSFO) nanoparticles, which were charactered by XRD, SEM, TEM and UV–vis spectra. The results show that structure, as well as magnetic and photocatalytic properties of BSFO are influenced by the particle size and the Sr2+ dopant content. Regarding smaller particles, even if small amount of Sr2+ substitution content change can result in the phase transition from the rhombohedral distorted perovskite to the cubic. The doping of heterovalent Sr2+ ions in BiFeO3 (BFO) nanoparticles improves the ferromagnetic property. As ultrasonication can generate particles with larger surface area and more defections, BSFO nanoparticles exhibit efficient photocatalytic activity as a promising photocatalyst.