Mechanical milling assisted synthesis of Ba–Mn co-substituted BiFeO3 ceramics and their properties

Abstract

Samples of composition Bi1−xBaxFe1−xMnxO3 (x = 0, 0.1, 0.2) were synthesized by initial mixing of precursors by high-energy ball milling and subsequent sintering of the milled powders. The co-substitution of Ba–Mn controls the formation of impurity phases, as evident from x-ray diffraction analysis. Evidence of Fe in mixed oxidation states of +3 and +2 and Mn in +3 state is found from x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Electron microscopy exhibits a decrease in grain size due to inhibition in grain growth by Ba–Mn co-substitution. The magnetization value at 20 kOe increases as the percentage of substitution increases. The x = 0.2 sample exhibits a comparable and stable resistivity curve in the experimental temperature range and has a higher value of remanent polarization (Pr) when compared with the x = 0 sample.