Microwave synthesis and magnetic properties of bismuth ferrite nanopowder doped with cobalt

Abstract

A technique for the synthesis of bismuth orthoferrite nanopowder doped with cobalt ions activated using microwave radiation is proposed. Exposure to microwave radiation followed by ultrasonic treatment of the synthesized BiFeO3 samples using sodium hydroxide as a precipitant makes it possible to obtain spherical BiCoxFe1-xO3 particles with a narrow particle-size distribution in the range of 35–60 nm. Bismuth ferrite doped with cobalt ions has a considerably higher magnetization and magnetic susceptibility than an undoped BiFeO3.