Optical and Magnetic Characteristics of LaFeO3 Nanoparticles Synthesized by Simple Co-Precipitation Method using Ethanol

Abstract

Present study describes the synthesis of nanocrystalline lanthanum orthoferrite by co-precipitation method using ethanol as a solvent. LaFeO3 nanopowders formed after annealing the precursor at temperatures of 700, 800 and 900 ºC for 1 h, have a particle size in the range of 30-50 nm. According to XRD analysis, an increase in the annealing temperature from 700 to 900 ºC leads to an increase in the average crystallite size from 43.76 to 62.80 nm and a decrease in the unit cell volume of about 241.90 to 240.66 Å3. Synthesized LaFeO3 nanoparticles have strong absorption in ultraviolet (~ 200-400 nm) and visible light (~ 400-600 nm) and are soft magnetic materials with high magnetization.