Effect of processing conditions on the properties of nanostructured BiFeO3 obtained using different synthetic strategies

The synthesis parameters such as pH, concentration, precipitating agents, surfactant etc., determine the single phase formation of Bismuth ferrite [BiFeO3 (BFO)] nanoparticles via wet chemical route. By tuning the above processing conditions, different particle sizes and shape (morphology) can be synthesized which tailors the properties such as magnetic, optical etc.Single phase BFO nanoparticles were prepared through co-precipitation method using different precipitating agents such as ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH) and tetra methyl ammonium hydroxide (TMAOH). The effect of precipitating agents on crystallite size, morphology, phase evolution and magnetic properties at constant pH were studied using XRD, FESEM, PPMS, and RAMAN. Single phase BFO was obtained in both cases by calcination at 650°C. Variation in the crystallite size using different precipitating agents (118 nm and 75 nm for NH4OH and TMAOH respectively) was observed. Similarly, size \ud obtained from FESEM shows 196±115nm and 207±50nm for NH4OH and TMAOH respectively indicating that the actual particles are polycrystalline