Facile and highly efficient wet synthesis of nanocrystalline BiFeO3particles by reverse co-precipitation method

Abstract

In this study a nanocrystalline bismuth ferrite BiFeO3 (BFO) powder was synthesized using a novel, facile and highly efficient reverse co-precipitation method. Proposed method is also highly cost-efficient and environmentally friendly. It was demonstrated that the optimal calcination temperature for the preparation of phase-pure BFO is 400 °C, while at higher temperatures formation of undesirable crystal phases occur. X-Ray diffraction studies were employed for the investigation of crystal structure and phase composition of obtained powders. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to evaluate the morphology of synthesized powders. For piezoelectric studies, precursors powders were pressed into 12.5 mm diameter pellets and calcined at the same temperatures. Obtained materials show very good piezoelectric properties, as a result of high defects homogeneity and very low crystallite size. Determined piezoelectric coefficient is comparable with praseodymium, samarium or europium doped BiFeO3 ceramic.