abstract
In this work we explore the formation of enhanced multiferroic interfaces in bismuth ferrite crystalline fibers grown by laser floating zone technique. An underlying mechanism of self-segregation during the fibers growth process enables to establish a textured microstructure of a dominant BiFeO3 phase bordered by the presence of Bi25FeO40 secondary phase. The crystallites c axis of the BiFeO3 phase shows a preferential orientation along the longitudinal axis of the fibers, together with grain boundaries that also present a significant alignment with the same direction. These features induce a systematic disturbance of the antiferromagnetic structure of the BiFeO3 phase at the interfaces with the Bi25FeO40 diamagnetic phase. The structural anisotropy confirmed by High Resolution X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy images is also manifested in the magnetic properties of the fibers, which reveal an enhanced susceptibility response in comparison to the conventional BiFeO3 phase diagram. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
keywords
BIFEO3 THIN-FILMS; TEMPERATURE; NANOPARTICLES; CERAMICS; POLARIZATION; SINGLE
subject category
Materials Science
authors
Figueiras, FG; Dutta, D; Ferreira, NM; Costa, FM; Graca, MPF; Valente, MA
our authors
Fábio Gabriel Nazário Figueiras
Post-Doc Fellowship
Nuno Miguel Freitas Ferreira
Post-Doc FellowshipGroups
acknowledgements
This work was developed in the scope of the project I3N (UID/CTM/50025/2013), CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials (UID/CTM/50011/2013), grants SFRH/BPD/75588/2010 and SFRH/BPD/80663/2011 financed by national funds through the FCT/MEC and when applicable co-financed by FEDER under the PT2020 Partnership Agreement.