Prakash Chandra Sati

Structural, magnetic, and optical properties of Pr and Zr codoped BiFeO3 multiferroic ceramics

Single-phase (Bi1-xPrx)(Fe1-xZrx)O3 ceramics with x = 0.03, 0.06, 0.10 (named BPFZ-3, BPFZ-6, and BPFZ-10, respectively) were synthesized by solid state reaction method. X-ray diffraction suggested the pure phase formation with distorted rhombohedral structure in all samples. Raman spectroscopy also confirmed the rhombohedrally distorted perovskite structure with R3c symmetry. The x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements showed the absence of Fe2+ ions indicating the suppression of oxygen vacancies due to Pr and Zr codoping. Room temperature magnetic hysteresis loops revealed that the spontaneous magnetization increases due to structural distortion and partial destruction of spiral spin structure caused by the codoping in BiFeO3 ceramics. The maximum remnant magnetization of 0.1234 emu/g was observed for BPFZ-6 sample. Optical studies showed absorption of light in the visible region, with a red shift in energy band gap with increasing concentration of Pr and Zr in BiFeO3 ceramics. The broad absorptio...

Effect of Gd and Zr co-substitution on multiferroic properties of BiFeO3

Single phase Bi1−xGdxFe1−yZryO3 (x=0.06;y=0, x= 0.10, y=0 and x=0.10,y= 0.03) nanoparticles were prepared to study the combined effect of Gd and Zr substitution on structural, magnetic and optical properties of BiFeO3. Rietveld refinement of X-ray diffraction patterns predicted that sample with x=0.06, y=0 was indexed to rhombohedral structure while samples with x=0.10, y=0 and x=0.10, y=0.03 were crystallized in multiphase (rhombohedral + orthorhombic). Magnetic properties were significantly enhanced with increasing concentration of Gd ions, however, magnetization reduced slightly with addition of 3% Zr ions in the system. Electron spin Resonance analysis indicated that breaking of spin cycloid is the main reason for enhancement of magnetization. Optical properties were investigated and direct band gap was found for all the samples.